A DRAB underpass covered in graffiti has been given a colouful new lease of life thanks to a bunch of community-minded youngsters and some dedicated volunteers.

Around 15 young people painted over graffiti in the underpass in The Friary with giant paintings of musical icons such as Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Amy Winehouse.

The children were taking part in an activity organised by SPLASH Wiltshire and the Friary Youth Club while local artist Fred Fieber – who painted the Milford Bridge Mural – helped lead the art project.

Tony Wilson, pastor of the Friary Christian Fellowship, which runs the youth club, said: “About six years ago we did a project to paint the underpass and over time it got covered in graffiti so we thought wouldn’t it be a great project for us to do it again.

“We had a meeting with the youth club and discussed themes, choosing pop stars. Wiltshire Council came and painted the walls in magnolia which allowed us to come and do the artwork.

“Fred got the Banksy-style art pictures, we traced them on big sheets of paper, transcribed it and painted – it all went well, our biggest problem now is just hoping it doesn’t get obliterated in graffiti again.”