A RENOWNED illustrator shared his skills with youngsters as part of a police initiative about keeping safe.

Quentin Blake, the artist and author most famous for his pictures in the late Roald Dahl’s books, visited Harrow High School in Gayton Road, Harrow, on Wednesday, January 18, along with children aged nine to 12 from primary schools in Harrow and Brent who also took part.

The former Children’s Laureate used a projector and a big screen to allow everyone to see his sketches, including one of a raven drawn in blue ink.

Headteacher Paul Gamble said: “It was an absolute honour to have such an icon at school.

“Quentin Blake’s inter-pretations of good and bad characters demonstrate the artists’ social conscience. His themes of perception tied in nicely with some work we have been doing with our learners recently on personal safety.

“We are looking forward to getting the learners’ drawings together and having them displayed around Harrow.”

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, borough commander for Harrow, said: “Quentin captivated his audience as he spoke about his life as an artist, while at the same time demonstrating his drawing techniques which were projected on to a large screen for all to see.

“The children were enthralled and inspired by his work and will be producing their own posters on the theme of young people and safety, which will be displayed at venues across Harrow including at Harrow police stations.”

The primary school children who took part were from Norbury School in Welldon Crescent, Harrow, Whitefriars Community School in Whitefriars Avenue, Wealdstone, and Preston Park Primary School in College Road, Wembley.