THERE will be a bright and colourful uplift in the town this spring, as communities and artists come together to fill public spaces with a series of exciting artworks.

A number of internationally renowned artists, supporting partners and residents will work together to bring the streets of St Helens alive by creating striking art pieces commissioned by the Heart of Glass.

It is part of the collaborative arts organisation’s Creative People and Places programme.

Residents will be welcomed into the town centre by a large-scale floor mural produced by critically acclaimed print artist The Fandangoe Kid in partnership with St Helens Borough Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

Arriva North West will give people the unique opportunity to experience "art on the move" as local buses will feature artworks produced by members of Buzzhub St Helens CDP and the borough’s LGBTQI+ community.

After the huge success of last year’s murals by residents and Nomad Clan in the heart of Parr, people can expect to see several more buildings and spaces transformed with vibrant designs.

With support from Torus Foundation and Culture Hubs, Heart of Glass will bring together communities and schoolchildren with street artists Billy Colours and Faunagraphic to make their mark with their colourful designs.

Angharad Williams, head of the Creative People and Places programme at Heart of Glass, is confident the new art projects will bring people together.

She said: “Thanks to the artists, partners, and communities we work with, inspiring projects such as these create empowering cultural events that connect us all.”

Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing culture and heritage, said: “We’ve seen in other areas how public art like this can make a town or city a more vibrant and attractive place to visit, keeping with the identity, heritage and culture.”

“You’ve only got to look at the impact the murals in Parr have had which celebrate our borough’s proud industrial past, so if this project is anywhere near as successful then it will be a job well done, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the end result.”