Budding graffiti artists can develop their skills at a special new youth workshop, thanks to a £15,400 Lottery grant.

Staff at The Courtyard Youth Arts Centre in Launton Road, Bicester, are using the Heritage Lottery Fund cash to fund a three-month project exploring the heritage and history of graffiti art.

The project will include a range of workshops and events.

Students will work with artist Steve Sitex, who is responsible for much of the graffiti art in Oxford's Cowley Road, to learn practical skills and explore the history and culture of graffiti.

A young artist who has created designs in the centre's youth club will also be leading the project, which will culminate with an exhibition of work open to the whole community.

A large hand-made graffiti wall will also be created at the centre for the youngsters to display their work legally.

Youth worker Claire Blackburn said: "We're delighted to have received this money to deliver a project that promotes graffiti as an art form.

"Young artists will experience working with a range of materials, a professional artist and have their work displayed in venues across the region."

Run jointly by the Courtyard Youth Arts Centre and the Pitt Rivers Museum, in Parks Road, Oxford, the project is open to youngsters from Bicester aged between 13 and 19.

To find out more, call in to the Courtyard open evening on Monday at 7pm, or call 01869 602555.