Creative kids bring art to Anfield
Youngsters in north Liverpool proved they were quick on the draw when they produced hundreds of pieces of artwork to decorate hoardings around the Anfield regeneration site.
More than 200 children from All Saints Primary, Anfield Community Arts, Anfield Road Primary, Our Lady Immaculate Primary, St Margarets, North Liverpool Academy, Anfield Sports and Community Centre and Four Oaks Primary took part in the activity to brighten up the hoardings.
The pictures that were drawn or painted by the children were based on the theme of 'a brighter Anfield' and they responded with a huge variety of designs, in a project co-ordinated by Your Housing Group and the Liverpool FC Foundation.
The first pieces of artwork have now gone up on Alroy Road, with further designs set to appear in the coming months. In total, almost half a kilometre of children's designs will be used to decorate the hoardings.
Councillor Ann O'Byrne, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "This was a great opportunity to see what Anfield means to each and every child in the area.
"For many of these children, they will be the first generation to live and grow up in the regenerated Anfield area so it was only right to give them the opportunity to express their feelings."
Kathy Cowell, chair of Your Housing Group, added: "The response we had for this project was overwhelming, with so many excellent pictures.
"To see so many fantastic paintings around the area certainly brings a smile to my face. I would like to pass on my gratitude to all the children and teachers who have helped to create these wonderful designs.
"Our No.1 goal for the Anfield project is to create a brighter and better Anfield for all. Therefore, it is vital we recognise and involve everyone, including local children, many of whom will benefit from the work we are doing."
Andrea Cooper, head of the Liverpool FC Foundation, said: "Liverpool Football Club is committed to supporting the schools in the Anfield area through the foundation, whether that be in the classroom with learning or through extracurricular activity such as this.
"The kids did a brilliant job and we're grateful to the schools and families for their support."
The partners behind the regeneration - Liverpool City Council, Liverpool FC and Your Housing Group - announced £260m plans to transform the Anfield area with a comprehensive regeneration plan in October 2012.
Since then, work to demolish houses and finalise plans for a new hotel, commercial buildings and a public square has been progressing.
Planning consent for the expansion of Liverpool's stadium was granted on September 23 and work across the entire regeneration programme is advancing rapidly.