Stonebridge wall mural designed by Marlborough schoolboy

The wall that runs along Stonebridge Lane, in Marlborough, had frequently been named a graffitied eyesore for the town.

Now it has been transformed into a beautiful nature mural by artist Janey Louise Fletcher and Luke Gifford, Marlborough's littlest designer.

Luke, a year 4 pupil from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, won a competition organised by Action for the River Kennet (ARK) which asked students to draw what they wanted the mural to look like.

The schoolboy's winning drawing depicted him on the footbridge over the River Kennet, alongside a big fallen tree trunk and various wildlife in the water.

“It’s started some great conversations about the river and the water meadow,” said ARK’s senior project officer, Anna Forbes.

“People keep asking what some of the creatures that feature are, as some are species that live hidden away in the waterbed. And of course there are lots of questions about who the little boy in the graffiti is.

“It’s already proving to be educational as well as a fantastic piece of art,” she added.

Luke was able to meet spray paint artist Janey Louise Fletcher. (Image: ARK)

Last week, Luke visited the mural to meet the artist, Janey Louise Fletcher, see his creation come to life, and have a go at spray painting himself.

London based artist Janey Louise Fletcher specialises in spray painted murals, and her work has been well received by all ages.

"It really enriched the process for me to spend some time with Luke and to figure out how to encorporate his drawing into the mural," she told The Adver.

"I had to have a think about how best to include Luke's illustration of the boy on the bridge. In the end I decided to invite Luke along for a photo shoot and use the photo of him as my reference.

"He's a wonderful artist, and he's full of ideas," she added.

The mural features local wildlife such as kingfishers, otters, swans and moles. (Image: ARK)

The wall, which faces onto the water meadow at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, is owned by T H White, who donated the masonry paint, rollers and PPE for the project.

The project is a collaboration between local charity Action for the River Kennet (ARK), T H WHITE, Marlborough Town Council and the GC Charitable Trust.

Martin Gibson from G C Charitable Trust said, “We are delighted to support this lovely work of art on a previously grotty wall. It will show people some of the wonders of a chalk stream and its threats.” said Martin Gibson, from the trust.

Work on the mural is being done in two phases and is expected to be complete at the end of October.