PUPILS got their hands dirty in a bid to learn about other cultures.

Oxford artist David Odwarr, who originates from Northern Uganda, visited St Edmund's Catholic Primary School in Abingdon.

He showed pupils how to make African masks from clay while talking about his native country.

Mr Odwarr, who wants to set up an art school in his home country, said: "The important thing that I am trying to impress is about cultural issues and get children to be more creative.

"The theme was basically masks but I brought in lots of images to inspire the children so that they can see what it's all about.

"I also talked about my own background, about Africa and specifically about Northern Uganda, and they could ask questions.

"It was more about having fun and to handle the clay and to be creative and I think they had fantastic fun."

Pupils used the faces of animals as inspiration for their masks and decorated them with beads, feathers and fir cones.

The masks are on display around the school.