MORE than 400 youngsters from six different schools have taken part in a creative project as part of an art exhibition.

Pupils from six Braintree schools signed up to take part in the Matisse project which was held as part of Braintree Museum's exhibition on the artist.

Each class took part in an interactive 60 minute session with the children making a wall hanging or collage using scissors and a range of materials.

The classes also worked collaboratively to make a Matisse vase and the artworks were then selected at random to be hung alongside the Matisse works in the exhibition.

All of the classes that took part will receive a participation certificate with those who had their artworks chosen getting an additional certificate for selection.

Laura Worthington, the education officer at the museum, said: "The project has been a great opportunity for pupils to get creative and develop their artistic skills as well as engage them with the artist Henri Matisse, his life and how he worked."

The French painter, sculptor and designer, was one of the 20th century's most influential artists who carried on creating well into his 80s.

It is a travelling exhibition for the Hayward Gallery and includes 35 reproduction prints of famous cut-outs he produced in the last four years of his life.

The exhibition runs until January 12 but the museum will be closed from December 23 to January 3.