THE completion of a year-long project undertaken by a primary school was marked yesterday afternoon.

The Lord Mayor was in attendance at the event on 62 Saltaire Road, where a collection of 16 murals have been put up on the side of an old warehouse building to provide a spot of colour and vibrancy to the area.

A selection of pupils from Saltaire Primary School have spent the last 12 months creating the murals which depict scenes and highlights from the local area.

The school enlisted the help of artists Sharon Snaylam, Anne Taylor and Salma Patel for the effort.

Executive headteacher Sally Stoker said: “The murals have turned out to be better than any of us could have imagined! Every time a new mural was added we had lots of lovely comments and feedback.”

She added: “I’m incredibly proud of the children who have taken part in creating the murals. They have created something very special and unique for Shipley and used all their artistic talents to very good effect.”

The pupils came up with the designs by travelling around the local area where they took in the landmarks, as well as getting the chance to ride the historic Shipley Glen Tramway.

Sketches were created out in the field, before the children returned to school to develop the final designs which were later painted onto boards. The boards were then varnished and erected by volunteers from the Hirst Wood Regeneration Group.

The murals were even turned into a collection of greetings cards.

Ms Stoker said: “From left to right the 16 murals take us on an artistic journey through our local area.”

Highlights include the statue of Titus Salt and the wild spaces of Shipley Glen.

Several groups aided the project including The Pears Foundation, Manor Coatings and the Shipley Area Committee.

The school are hoping this will not be their last project either. It will look to continue to enhance the local area in partnership with the Hirst Wood Regeneration Group.

Ms Stoker said: “We’re painting an old rowing boat which will be transformed into a very posh duck house on the nature reserve. Only the very best for our feathery friends!”