CHILDREN have had their visits to a Winchester hospital brightened up by a mural painted by a Southampton teacher.

Tony Chennells, from Highfield, designed and painted the mural in his spare time.

The mural in the children's treatment room at Royal Hampshire County Hospital took him four days to complete.

It shows a colourful underwater scene with fish and dolphins and there is also a picture painted on the ceiling to distract children lying down.

Mr Chennells said: "My child has been a regular patient at Southampton General Hospital and I know how daunting the experience can be.

"I thought it would be nice for the kids if I brightened the treatment room up a bit and made it a bit more welcoming for them."

Hospital staff are also thrilled with the artwork.

Children's ward manager Sister Catherine Fitzgerald said: "The treatment room was refurbished to make it larger and we unfortunately had to lose previous artwork.

"Tony has done a marvellous job and the room no longer feels so clinical."