A Poet Tree sprouted up in the Artizan Shopping Centre’s community hub and among the local successors to Rabbie Burns are the pupils of the Alexandria school. The children were tasked with writing on the subject of what makes them happy for the two-day creative writing project at the Centre on Wednesday and Thursday.

Helen Brown, head teacher at the school which has 186 pupils aged from five to 11, said: “All ages have taken part and we have quite a few poems to go on display.

“They have all been very happy writing about what makes them happy and for a surprising number it seems to be playing on the X Box, but we have all enjoyed the exercise. I’m sure many children and their parents will be going to see the exhibition.” The Poet Tree project was organised by community arts organisation Faceless Arts and hasn’t been limited to schoolchildren with a programme of drop-in creative writing workshops lined up on both days for anyone to have a go.

Charlie Wells, who is in charge of the Artizan event, said: “Poet Tree is designed to engage people from a wide range of backgrounds in creative writing workshops exploring the themes of happiness and well-being.

“They will create their own poems, stories or messages to share on our spectacular tree sculpture in the centre.

“The Poet Tree will be in the Hub on custom built staging between until June and the poems and stories will be written on leaves which are decorated, laminated and attached to the branches of the tree so they can be read by visitors to the centre.

“There is even a plinth around the base of the tree to act as a seat providing a place for rest and reflection.” Louise Scott, marketing manager for the Artizan Shopping Centre, said: “You never know, we might discover the next Robert Burns but even if you’re more William McGonagall.

“It was a lot of fun and it was great to see the poems and other writing that is produced from these workshops.” For more information on the centre visit www.artizancentre.co.uk.