Artwork cheers up North Bersted estate

About 20 of them – aged from three to teenagers – helped to create a bright mural around a dull play area on the Trees Estate.

They spent a day replacing faded cartoon characters on the area’s 3ft high wall with a range of colourful scenes.

Among the painters was Martin Hill, aged seven. He said: “I painted a car. I think it looks good. I enjoyed doing it because I like painting.”

The £950 project involved the estate’s residents’ association, the police and town and district councils. They were backed by several businesses.

Residents’ chairman Gez Watson said: “We’ve had a really good turnout. This area has always been here.

“It was grey before some young offenders painted the characters for a community scheme but they had faded.”

She was presented with a surprise bouquet when she officially opened the area.