SICK children created their own artwork inspired by a project to transform a dull 70ft-high wall into a colourful masterpiece at an Oxford hospital.

World renowned artist Michael Craig-Martin, whose work features in the collections of the Tate Gallery and New York’s Museum of Modern Art, is rejuvenating five storeys of plain wall into an eye-catching piece of modern art.

The creation, entitled Kids, will adorn the wall of the community atrium connecting the Children’s Hospital and the West Wing and will be unveiled in April.

This week, patients aged between four and 15 took time out from their treatment to take photographs of the half finished piece and scaffolding, and paint their own interpretations of Mr Craig-Martin’s work.

Lily Warrington, 13, from Brize Norton, is battling a condition where her body does not deal with calcium properly and has been in the care of the hospital since she was eight months old.

She said: “Having lots of interesting things to do is really important for children like me who have to spend a lot of time in hospital. This art project has been great as it has taken my mind off the pain.

“I can’t wait to see the finished big painting as it can be a bit boring looking out of a window on to a plain wall.”