Youngsters in Saltash had the chance truly to get their teeth into art at two events which launched the Saltmill arts workshop programme.

The children 'ate their words' at Stephen's school when they baked letters from pastry dough and then assembled them into a poem - which was read aloud before being devoured.

This followed appearances by local salmon fisherman Graham Broach, and poet Bob Devereux. Graham spoke of the life cycle of the salmon, and then Bob helped the children shape what they had learned into the poem, which was then 'cooked'.

The poem, entitled 'Song of the Salmon', will be included in a cycle of 20 poems Bob is creating to be included in the Saltmill project.

On Sunday professional musicians worked with youngsters, at the Livewire Youth Centre on Saltash Waterside, to set the song to music. A finale performance was attended by local MP Colin Breed, and his wife Janet, and plans are now being made for a public performance as part of celebrations planned for the opening of the new Saltmill park this autumn.

The events were organised by local artist Emma Spring, and future workshops will include wood-working, skate boarding, stained glass and performance pieces.

Caradon council and Groundwork are working in partnership on the £2.6 million Saltmill project which will bring 17 acres of derelict land, a former landfill site, back into public use.