Tooting pupils were painting the town red when their artwork was displayed to millions of people on the South Bank as part of the Mayor’s Thames Festival.

Art enthusiasts at Ernest Bevin College took part in the festival’s Rivers of the World project, which links more than 2,000 teenagers from around the world every year.

The project challenges pupils to study the history, culture and environment of their local river or the river of their partner country.

With the help of professional artists, they have produced artwork inspired by what they have learnt.

Lead artist Shona Watt said: “Rivers of the World is a very exciting project to work on. The students’ work gets better and better every year.

“It is a very intense experience for them and they are very receptive to it, particularly when they know their work will be seen in an international public arena.

“This project is a marriage between technology and art but the real emphasis is on drawing and developing those skills.”

At Ernest Bevin, the work was partially based around the River Thames and was led by head of art Samantha Hirst.

Rivers of the World was delivered with the help of British Council’s Connecting Classrooms and HSBC Global Education Trust.

Three new countries join the programme each year, with plans for 17 to have taken part by 2012.

The works of art have been reproduced for an exhibition in the gallery@oxo and for other riverside venues in the participating countries.

The Mayor’s Thames Festival was held on September 11 and 12.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “By capturing their perspective on the world, these artworks are a striking reminder of how young people’s creativity can provide a unique cultural insight.

“The British Council is delighted to be working with the Thames Festival once again to support this project.”