AN 80ft mural has been unveiled at a town BMX track as part of an art project to highlight the wide variety of native bug life in Teesdale.
As part of the North Pennines AONB’s cold-blooded and spineless project, a series of aerosol art workshops were held at the Hub, in Barnard Castle.
The project, which was made possible through funding from the National Lottery, saw about 25 youngsters learn more about the different native insects, snails and bugs. Then under the tutelage of graffiti artist Graham Cleland, from Newcastle, they helped design and spray paint the new mural.
The artwork, complete with a range of insects and bugs including snails, butterflies, caterpillars and bees, has been installed on the BMX track at the Hub and provides a bright backdrop for cyclists.
Sam Tranter, biodiversity officer for the AONB, said the youngsters also designed their own baseball caps, which they then sprayed and got to take away with them as part of the sessions.
She added the idea had been to encourage youngsters to be more inquisitive about the types of insects that flourish in the local area, especially in the North Pennines.
One of the young people who took part in the sessions was Tommy White, 13, who is also a keen BMX rider, and was there for the grand unveiling.
