THE finishing touches are being put to a community inspired project that is bound to turn heads.

Commuters on the busy Tong Street corridor, one of the busiest main routes into Bradford, will be greeted by the sight of One Direction singer, Zayn Malik, a former Tong High school pupil, and Bradford-born artist David Hockney whose faces have been immortalised, alongside local community heroes on fencing around Knowles Park.

The artwork was specially commissioned as part of a regeneration project for Holme Wood and Tong. Tracy Uren, Bradford Council's housing development officer, explains the project began in January when members of the local community were asked for ideas on how to regenerate the area around the park.

'For the Community by the Community' and 'Time is Precious Use it Wisely' are among the inspirational anecdotes also featured in the artwork which is a collaboration between the local community, including pupils fromCarrwood Primary in Holme Wood, Tong High School, whose portraits also appear on the installation, Holme Christian Community and Bradford Council's parks and housing.

"Because lots of people have been involved with it it will give them ownership and hopefully they will look after it as well because it is their fence, they have made it and designed it and they chose the artist," said Tracy, referring to Haworth sculptor Craig Dyson, who worked with the community and created the fabrication from their ideas.

"It has probably been one of the most hands-on community involvement projects I have done," says Craig.

"What people underestimate is the sense of community, it is incredibly strong. People help people," adds Craig.

Pupils who were involved in the project from the schools also had the opportunity to see Craig at work in his studio in Haworth and a film documenting the project is set to be shown at the official unveiling in Knowles Park on September 11.