CHILDREN at Archway School have transformed an underpass in Stroud with a mural under Dudbridge Bridge.

The piece of public art, which is 25 metres long, depicts Stroud scenes and history and is part of the Stroudwater Canal regeneration project.

Forty-two children, aged 11 to 14, took part in the three-day paint job, which was completed on Wednesday, July 18.

Paul Weller, volunteer assistant with Stroud District Council's Canal Team, said: "It has been a brilliant success, everybody really got involved.

"The area was covered in graffiti before with a few nasty words.  It is great that we can involve the children in the regeneration of the canal and allow them to use this project as an educational resource."

The project involved nine months of organising and the children at Archway spent time after school designing the art for the mural.

Jonathan Hill, head of art and design at Archway, said: "We wanted to allow children of all abilities to be involved.

"It has been amazing seeing their work transferred from paper onto the canal wall and great that their work is not just tucked away on a display board in the school but in an open place where people can enjoy it."

The children worked in pairs to paint a concrete panel with one member of each pair on the Gifted and Talented list for art.

Caitlin Buckley, 13, said: "I really enjoy painting so I have loved this. Being out here with classmates has been a great bonding experience."

Suzi Crossley, also 13, added: "It is a really good opportunity for us. It is nice to be involved in the work being done on the canal."

Businesses lent a hand to help the art project with paint provided by Bailey Paints of Thrupp and decking to form a pathway provided by Klenzeen.

The public will have to wait until October to see the mural, as the canal towpath under the bridge is currently closed whilst Dudbridge Locks are rebuilt.