Young artists have created a colourful new mural to welcome travellers to Felixstowe’s railway station.

The project was initiated and developed by Felixstowe Travel Watch chairman and official Abellio Greater Anglia station adopter, Richard Holland, who wanted to replace earlier worn and weatherbeaten murals at the site.

He approached the Level Two project, which has its youth hub above Tesco in the town centre, and youngsters rose to the challenge with passion and enthusiasm.

They created an impressive mural depicting a train travelling through time with each carriage decorated with images from different decades and references to the resort’s history.

It includes the town’s coat of arms and those of Felixstowe’s German twin towns, Wesel and Salzwedel.

Mr Holland said: “We were very pleased that the leaders and young people at Level Two agreed to take on this project.

“It is a testimonial to their enthusiasm and hard work and has brightened up the public approach at the station forecourt.”

Wendy O’Connor, project administrator at Level Two, said: “Level Two are proud of all our young people and it’s a real confidence boost for those involved in this project to see their work exhibited so publicly.

“Since January we have had 533 young people access our youth facilities which cover a wide range of services including mentoring vulnerable young people, out of school activities and additional needs support.

“We’re grateful for the support which we receive from members of the local community.”

James Steward, area customer service manager for Abellio Greater Anglia, said: “I’m pleased we were able to do our bit to support this worthwhile project from Felixstowe Travel Watch and Level Two and we’re delighted to receive it here at the station.

“Our station adopter scheme was created to provide a link to the local communities we serve and I think this project demonstrates that admirably.”

Mayor of Felixstowe, Graham Newman unveiled the mural and was delighted at the lovely welcome it would give people using the station’s hourly passenger service.

He said further improvements were expected to the station later this summer, including CCTV cameras to improve security and a ticket vending machine which would also give people the opportunity to buy advance travel tickets. The machines were already proving successful on other east coast stations.