A special delivery of gifts are decorating the city as part of a Christmas trail for families to follow.

Eighteen schools have created colourful and unique stacks of presents that were unveiled at the launch of the NORWICHRISTMAS Art Trail last night. The paper visited every school while they were working on their Christmas masterpieces and will be featuring each school in the paper and online.

Today is the turn of Notre Dame High School and Lodge Lane Infant School.

The seasonal project - which runs until Twelfth Night - is being delivered by NORCA (Norwich and Norfolk Community Arts) on behalf of the Norwich Business Improvement District.

Notre Dame High School

A giant Christmas pudding proudly tops the colourful present stack decorated by pupils from Notre Dame High School.

Eleven year eight pupils from the Surrey Street school were involved in creating the artwork which will be displayed in the John Lewis store in All Saints Green.

Teacher Debbie McShane said: 'We decided to turn the top present into a Christmas pudding and the bows into holly. 'Someone came up with the idea of looking through windows into houses at Christmas and the group really liked this idea so we developed this theme.

'We decorated the bottom section to look like presents with brightly coloured wrapping paper designs and included some toys leaning up against the sides. Our favourite is the teddy bear proudly wearing the Notre Dame High School tie! The gift tags on the present have words written on them to reflect the things we would like for Christmas.'

She said the project was great opportunity for the pupils to display their work to a wider community.

She added: 'The children really enjoyed the project. They gave up many of their lunchtimes to work on it and were very enthusiastic. They love the finished result and are very proud of what they have achieved.'

Lodge Lane Infant School

Lodge Lane Infant School pupils created a design highlighting different types of presents people can give at Christmas.

More than 35 children from the Choose a Challenge Art Group were involved, as well three members of staff from The Forum, in Millennium Plain, where the present stack is being displayed.

Andy Tovell, headteacher of the Old Catton school, said: 'Our stack of presents represents different types of gifts we can give at Christmas time. The sections of the stack has been painted in different colours to represent the colours and symbols of Christmas. The children printed Christmas patterns on paper which were used to wrap up 'presents' for each section. Gift labels reveal more about what type of gift the present may contain.

'This connects strongly to our school values and aims, as we think about other people, what they may believe, those who are less fortunate or need help at this time of year.'

When pupils were asked what they thought about the project while making the present stack, six-year-old Eleanor Wagstaff said: 'It's looking gorgeous! It's going to be cool because it looks like real presents. It will help people remember that they are special and can do special things by themselves without wrapping presents.'

Oliver Leggett, seven, said: 'It's going to be good because all our pictures are really good. My Nanny is going to go and see it and that's exciting!'

Corey Lucas, six, said: 'I am enjoying it because you think there are presents in side but there are not!'

Tia Measures, six, said: 'I have enjoyed it because it looks like a real present. I enjoyed painting the background. I think people will be amazed.'

Kacey Pottle, six, said: 'I think people will say wow, what is that?! They will think it's great. It will be even better with the glitter on.'

• Tomorrow we will be featuring Cavell Primary School and Catton Grove Primary School.

• Share your NORWICHRISTMAS Art Trail pictures at www.iwitness24.co.uk

• Are you involved in a festive art project in Norwich? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk