A GRAFFITI-strewn car park in Wantage has been transformed into a colourful modern mural thanks to a local youth group.

The Undercroft car park in Mill Street, which is owned by the Vale of White Horse District Council, had become an ‘eyesore’ after being covered in graffiti. 

However, in October last year the authority’s car park team decided to revamp the area with the help of youth group, The Sweatbox, and two local artists.

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The artists set up two workshops at The Sweatbox with around 12 young people attending. Together they came up with ideas for the designs which the artists then translated onto the wall of the car park.

Councillor Sally Povolotsky, Vale of White Horse cabinet member for climate emergency and environment said: “This is a fantastic project which has transformed an area from somewhere ugly to a place where people want to take selfies and it’s thanks to everyone coming together – the young people, the artists and the car park team, to make it happen.

“I hope that the project itself as well as the art it has created will inspire people across the local area, whatever their age.”

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Councillor Andy Crawford, one of the district ward councillors for Wantage, said: “The new mural is a positive addition to the town’s existing attractions, and a great welcome for visitors to Wantage.”

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @geeharland