A Seaton boy has been spreading cheer with painted stones on a path that has been dubbed ‘the path of hope.’

Jude Hill, five, and a pupil at Seaton Academy, started the stone collection on April 18, to bring happiness to people.

His mum, Miss Becky Winthorpe, 37, said Jude had been decorating stones in his garden and wanted to start off a path in Seaton. He started the collection with a metallic stripey stone and stones for the NHS staff, and Jude’s 20 month old sister Reiva Hill also left her abstract design on a path close to Seaton shops. Soon villagers were adding to the daily stone count.

Miss Winthrope said: “There are 164 stones now, with more being put down every day.” She said that Jude is excited when people have added to the collection and enjoys people looking at the stones.

She said: “When we’ve been out by the shop Jude will say ‘oh look, people are looking at my stones and it encourages him to want to get out.” The colourful stones include messages for key workers, butterflies, rainbows and smiley faces.

Many of the stones have been completed by children from Seaton Academy, who even incorporated the stones into home learning tasks. Wendy Durham, reception class teacher and assistant head at the school, is asking for suggestions as to how to preserve the ‘path of hope’ somewhere centrally for the village, as a symbol of hope. People with suggestions can contact her at wdurham@seatonacademy.co.uk