'Eyesore' near major A-road transformed

An "eyesore" near a busy A-road has been transformed into a nature-inspired mural.

Sarah Harris spent 19 days during this summer's heatwaves painting the artwork by the side of the A419 near Cricklade in Wiltshire.

During her project, she was visited by dozens of residents including 90-year-old Eric Cripps, Cricklade's town crier who attended in full regalia to spur her on.

Harris said she has been overwhelmed by the response, adding: "I think because the Cricklade/Latton area doesn't have any murals of this scale, this one really caught the attention of people who live close to it."

Resident Stuart Harrison photographed the finished mural and said Harris had done a "fantastic job" transforming the "eyesore" barn, which had previously been covered in graffiti.

He added: "I take my hat off to her, it's so much better now. When I took the photos, I really appreciated the detail and the perspective with what she's created."

The artist, who works as a data analyst in Cirencester as her day job and does murals part time, said she "jumped at the chance" to get involved.

She usually paints from 09:00 to 20:00 each day, but said she got to mid-afternoon one day amid the heatwave when the temperatures became "horrendous".

"The paint was literally boiling," she said. "After that I started painting at about 05:30 and finished at about 2pm."

Harris was commissioned by horse trainers North Meadow Livery to create the mural and incorporate horses into the final design.

A North Meadow Livery spokesperson said: "It really captures the area in a single picture so it's lovely to see and know everyone who sees it gains pleasure from it."

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