PATIENTS at the new Harold Wood Polyclinic have given the thumbs-up to specially-created artwork in the waiting area.

The paintings and designs by local people were created at a variety of workshops during the summer and based on a theme of Harold Wood and the changing seasons.

At the Age Concern day centre in Paines Brook Court, Romford, artist Linda Culverwell visited an arts and crafts class started by volunteer Ellen Stocks.

Gladys Noble set out for the day centre only to find her usual bus was diverted due to roadworks, walking the long distance instead.

She said: “I enjoy coming to the art group and I wasn’t going to turn back.”

Her friend, Sue Goodwin, joined in the painting. She said: “I had heard about the new polyclinic, and I think it’s a lovely idea to do some art for it.”

At a second art workshop at Hornchurch Library, children were just as enthusiastic about the project.

Portia Harrison, six, wasted no time in putting her bright ideas on paper, while Harry Hartley, seven, and sisters Martha and Millie Jukes got busy with the poster paint.

The paintings were hung this week in the clinic’s reception area.

Geoffrey Long, from Harold Hill, admired the paintings as he waited for a blood test.

He said: “It’s a very good idea that local people helped with the pictures because it makes them part of the community.”

Another patient, Brenda Homer, from Collier Row, said: “It’s already lovely and light in here, and the pictures add beautiful colour to the place.”

The work was commissioned from Studio 3 Arts and sponsored by Barking & Dagenham Havering Community Ventures and Miller Construction – the developers and construction team for the new GP walk-in centre.