Young people have helped give a Seaham shopping area a vibrant new look as part of a community art initiative.

The Grove Shopping Centre has been transformed with colourful murals, while existing planters have been refreshed with improved flower beds and decorative artwork.

The initiative was developed by youth arts organisation Creative Youth Opportunities, working with funds from Hawthorn Pitt Fund before progressing into a partnership with METLEN and Prysmian.

Based at Park House, in Horden, Creative Youth Opportunities worked with 12 young people and year five pupils at Westlea Primary School to help improve the area.

Young people have helped give a Seaham shopping area a vibrant new look as part of a community art initiative.

placeholder image — Young people have helped give a Seaham shopping area a vibrant new look as part of a community art initiative.

Michelle Harland, director of Creative Youth Opportunities, said: “It has been great seeing the ideas the group came up with to make the area more welcoming and ‘more loved’ as they described it.

“Everyone has worked really hard and as a result we have even joined the local Grove Committee, so we hope this work and the improvements to the local area can continue way beyond this project.”