AN UNDERWATER masterpiece has been created by girls from High Wycombe who have been volunteering their time to help children at a care home.

The Year Eight girls from Godstowe Preparatory School, in Shrubbery Road, High Wycombe, spent two days working on a sensory mosaic at the Chiltern Respite Centre in Henley.

The charitable artists, from the largest girls' preparatory boarding school in the country, volunteered to decorate the 75 ft brick wall, which is in the play area of the centre on June 28 and 30.

The mosaic features an underwater scene, which includes a giant seahorse and a basking mermaid.

Before any work was carried out the students raised £400 to buy materials.

This was achieved through a sponsored walk that they did in Windsor Great Park.

All proceeds from the walk will be matched by a generous parent.

Other parents and staff chipped in by providing tennis balls, empty water bottles, corks and shells.

Neighbouring businesses did their bit when they donated paint and ceramics.

There were a total of 41 girls who took part in the project.

They spent a day at school planning and preparing some of the sensory and decorative objects that were used then transferred their ideas to the wall at the centre.

The finished wall is fully interactive allowing children to feel and hear it.

"Although these girls are leaving Godstowe this year, they have worked with enthusiasm and commitment to leave something special for the children at the Chiltern Respite Centre," said Mrs Rosemary Jordan, head of upper division at Godstowe.

She added: "I'm very proud of the way they have worked together to make this happen.

She added: "They've done so much from organising the sponsored walk to putting the finishing touches to the wall."

He added: "I'm going to miss them all."