More than 200 year 9 students (aged 13 and 14) created artwork based around the themes of combating negative stereotypes, feeling safe and making a positive contribution to the community after participating in workshops at Forest Gate City Learning Centre, based at Forest Gate School.

Local traders selected their favourite pieces and the East Ham town centre management team secured funding from the borough's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to install the new hoardings.

Deputy Mayor of Newham, Councillor Christine Bowden, met with students from Cumberland and Forest Gate Schools to congratulate them on their success and thank them for their effort. She said: "Newham's young people are extremely ambitious and talented and the students who took part in this project are a shining example of the borough at its best.

"These young people have combated negative stereotypes and are helping the council achieve the vision that Newham will be a place where people choose to live, work and stay."

The artwork is also displayed at 47 advertising sites throughout Newham until May 6.