Young artists united to launch a symbol of international peace and understanding.

About 100 children from 12 schools in Headington, Oxford, gathered in Bury Knowle Park for the unveiling of their sculpture.

The work of art consists of a series of relief tablets -- each featuring symbols of hope -- designed by the children in a series of art workshops.

The unveiling ceremony was marked by the release of pigeons as teachers could not get doves.

All the schools involved in the project are members of the Headington Schools Partnership.

The pupils and teachers were joined for the ceremony by artist Diana Bell, who worked with the pupils, and the Rev Justin Lewis-Anthony, Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, and Sheikh Mohammed Qasim, from the mosque in Stanley Road.

The £4,000 project was funded by Southern Arts, the Oxfordshire Educational Trust for the Development of Arts, Oxford City Council, Oxford City Parks Department, and the schools themselves.

Project co-ordinator Lindsey Weimers, the headteacher of Windmill First School, Margaret Road, said: "The event went really well. It has been a wonderful project and the children got a lot out of it.

"The children and teachers learned new techniques, developed creativity, and talked about their hopes for the future.

"Everyone found it exciting to see the finished sculpture."