LEARNERS at Lakes College have painted and crafted Christmas decorations for Santa’s Grotto at Workington’s Christmas lights switch on. Level 1 to 3 Art and Design students were joined by Transitions in Leaning students in the college’s art studio.

Learners were given the chance to get creative, making decorations like giant candy canes, lollipops, snowflakes and Christmas wreaths. Creations were made by hand and decorated with paint, coloured cellophane and other materials.

Nicola Gibson, a Level 2 Art and Design student at Lakes College said: “Making decorations for the grotto was fun and it really felt like we were elves working in Santa’s workshop.” My group cut out holly leaf shapes from cardboard, then sewed them together as a garland. We had a great time and loved taking part in this.”

The decorations helped bring a winter wonderland to Workington town centre as they featured in Santa’s Grotto ran by the Rotary Club of Workington.

Over 300 children attended the event, Kirsty Gaunt, art lecturer at Lakes College said: “When the Rotary Club first approached us after designing Santa’s Grotto, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for all of our learners to work together as a team.”

She said: “We are extremely happy to have helped such an important charity and would like to thank everyone for their hard work.”