A CRICKET-THEMED mural painted by children was unveiled yesterday at Trent Bridge.
The community art installation has been designed to welcome international cricket supporters to the county ahead of the England v Australia Ashes Test from Wednesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 14.
Twelve youngsters aged between 11 and 16 and representing Trent Bridge Community Trust's Positive Futures, took part in the project, which depicts the history of Ashes Test matches at Trent Bridge.
The new mural adorns the previously blank site surrounding Nottinghamshire County Council's Trent Bridge House.
Children from Positive Futures Rushcliffe and Positive Futures Hawtonville, near Newark, spent the weekend painting and adding detail to the images, which were hand drawn by local artists.
Councillor John Knight, committee chairman for culture at Nottinghamshire County Council, unveiled the work at the site in Radcliffe Road yesterday.
He said: "This mural is a fantastic example of community work and we are very excited that the work of young people will enjoy such a high profile during this Ashes summer."
The installation is one of several projects led by the Trent Bridge Community Trust, the charitable arm of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, as part of an ongoing commitment to the Ashes Legacy Partnership.
Trent Bridge is the only venue outside London chosen to host Ashes Tests both this year and in 2015.
Positive Futures is a pioneering scheme which gives direction to young people.
Mandy Wright, co-ordinator of the scheme in Hawtonville, said: "What we achieved in one weekend has been fantastic and the young people came out buzzing. It inspires them and gives them something to aim for. It stops the boredom. They were really proud of what they have done."
Ethan Coulter, 16, from South Nottinghamshire Academy, was involved in the project.
He said: "I wanted to get involved in something that will be seen by people all over the world.
"It was a good laugh and has made me want to do more art and it helped me express myself. The urban art aspect was a good twist to it."
Tickets for the match from Wednesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 14 sold out within hours of going on sale but community groups that have contributed to key projects, including the youngsters involved in the mural, have been presented with complimentary tickets.
