THE Olympics, an old railway and the Second World War were some of the ideas residents put forward to feature on a community mural in Weymouth.

Residents from Westham gave their input at a workshop, which aims to create something to brighten up the underpasses in the area, which are graffiti hotspots.

Ryan Hope, chairman of the Westham Community Group, said: “It was great to see people being inspired by the future, like the Olympics, and by the past, like the old historical parts of Westham.

“It shows people are aware of the character of the place and that they take pride in where they live.”

The project is being funded by the Dorset Community Safety Partnership, which includes Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset Police and the Probation Service plus groups.

It will run alongside the Wipe Out project, a new initiative which will see criminals, ordered to do community service by the courts, working to spruce up areas of Weymouth.

The project will have a particular focus on areas affected by graffiti.

Hannah Wallace, a local artist, is co-ordinating the project, and put on the event at the Methodist Church Hall, Newstead Road, to encourage community input.

She said: “It’s always top of the list to encapsulate a sense and feeling of what the local community want and I’m getting really involved in ‘capturing’ the Westham area, the people and the culture.”

The old railway line through Westham is today part of the Rodwell Trail but the route was used to transport goods and people to Portland until 1965.

Organisers said the line featured in several suggestions for the mural, as well as pictures of how the area was affected during the Second World War.

The walls of the underpasses will be cleaned by the community payback offenders and then painted by Hannah and a team of volunteers. Ryan added: “The great thing about designing the mural is that anyone can get involved, no matter their age or ability. I think it’s going to be a real success.”

Community safety spokesman at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Geoff Petherick said: “Graffiti has been a problem in the underpasses at Westham and the project is an excellent idea.

“It is about making positive changes to an area to make residents feel safe and proud of their neighbourhood.”