Norwich Castle and Christmas stories take centre-stage in the festive work of some of the school pupils taking part in the NORWICHRISTMAS Art Trail.

The trail will be in Norwich until Twelfth Night and sees the art work of 18 schools displayed in venues across the city. We visited every school while the pupils were decorating their present stack sculptures for the trail and will be featuring each school in the paper and online. Today is the turn of Tuckswood Community Primary School and St Michael's Junior School.

Tuckswood Community Primary School

One of Norwich's most historic sites is incorporated in the Christmas art work designed by students at Tuckswood Community Primary School.

Sixteen pupils, aged five to 11, took part in creating their festive art which includes an image of Norwich Castle, and the children are excited about their work being on display in the city's Castle Mall.

Sammie Burrell, from the Allanadale Road school, said: 'All of us at Tuckswood Primary and Nursery School are really excited about our part in the Christmas Art Trail.

'Our business partner is the Castle Mall and they were very keen for the school to incorporate Norwich Castle into our stack of presents – which we have. The Castle Mall also hoped the children would include the element of shopping for Christmas presents. Our children are very excited about Christmas and they wanted to include toys and Christmas decorations. So, the bottom tier of our stack represents presents and Christmas-themed items, the next two tiers are Norwich Castle on the hill, and the top tier more Christmas-themed items.

'We feel that as Tuckswood Primary and Nursery School is at the heart of our local community, it is really important for the children to see themselves as part of a wider community of the city of Norwich. Seeing their own work on display in the Castle Mall will help to reinforce this and to give them a sense of pride in both themselves and our wonderful city.'

St Michael's Junior School

Festive stories sparked the imaginations of students from St Michael's Junior School who have based their present stack design on Christmas books.

The young bookworms from the Astley Road school in Bowthorpe decided to use a book theme because their artwork is being displayed in the Guildhall Hill restaurant The Library which, as its name suggests, was once a library.

Fifteen children from the school were involved in the project.

Year five leader Sarah Lewis was delighted when the project was offered to the school and said she has seen the children thrive from taking part in this creative opportunity.

She said: 'The children have really enjoyed working collaboratively and they cannot wait to see their hard work in situ at the Library restaurant for Christmas.'

The NORWICHRISTMAS Art Trail is being delivered by NORCA (Norwich and Norfolk Community Arts) on behalf of the Norwich Business Improvement District, and it aims to encourage more people to explore the city this Christmas.

• For more pictures and information about the trail - including a map of where all 18 present stacks are displayed in Norwich - plus details of how you can enter the trail competition and win prizes see the special trail page on our website.

• Tomorrow we will be featuring Sewell Park College and Avenue Junior School.

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

• Are you involved in a festive art project? Email reporter Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk