YOUNGSTERS have brightened up an area of Dorchester thanks to an innovative street art project.

A graffiti wall was set up under the railway bridge along Damers Road for youngsters to come and express themselves.

Local artist Peter Sheridan led the event as the youngsters created a Great Western themed design as well as taking part in an unusual practice of ‘reverse graffiti’. The good graffiti project was the brainchild of West Dorset District Council chairman Gillian Summers, who had already overseen successful schemes in Bridport and Sherborne.

She said: “We have obviously got the Great Western railway and it was a fun thing to do to combine the two.

“On either side to the approach the bridge they also did reverse graffiti, which is done by scrubbing off the moss and dirt rather than actually painting anything.

“All the youngsters that came along were more interested in that than actually spraying paint on.”

Coun Summers said the best thing about the event was the amazing reaction it received from members of the public as they passed by.

She said: “What surprised me most was the great reaction from all the passers by. Everybody I spoke to said it was so lovely and it was great for Dorchester, I can’t tell you how many positive comments we had. I was delighted with the great reaction.”

Coun Summers was also grateful for the input of Mr Sheridan.

She said: “Peter Sheridan is just brilliant, he has got the right eye, he can see things in perspective and he’s really encouraging to young people. He was just the right person and being a local man it was really nice for him to encourage them.”

Coun Summers said the whole project did not involve any taxpayers money, with her and Mr Sheridan giving up their time while youngsters even brought their own paint along.

Among those to be impressed with the outcome was Network Rail, which is now in discussions with Coun Summers about similar creations at other stations.

She said: “They were asking about what other stations in west Dorset they could do something on and they have identified six or seven other stations.”