TEENAGERS have been let loose with spray cans in a Kesgrave subway to create a graffiti mural with a difference.The underpass next to the Farmhouse pub in Ropes Drive has long been plagued by persistent vandalism and graffiti.

TEENAGERS have been let loose with spray cans in a Kesgrave subway to create a graffiti mural with a difference.

The underpass next to the Farmhouse pub in Ropes Drive has long been plagued by persistent vandalism and graffiti.

Now two youngsters are hard at work creating a mural which Kesgrave Town Council hope will prevent further graffiti and brighten up the subway for all its users.

Debs Stacey, 16, and David Cubitt, 16, both pupils at Kesgrave high school begun work on the masterpiece last Tuesday and aim to complete it by the end of the week.

The pair have been working solidly from 10am to 5.30pm every day, assisted by Jason Smith.

Mr Smith, 29, trained at art college and has a wide variety of experience in creating film and theatre sets.

He said: "All the feedback so far has been really positive. People are really grateful for what we are doing. It brightens up the subway and helps to detract from some of the nastier graffiti in the area."

The mural contains several different sections. The largest of which depicts a space scene with the word 'Kesgrave' subtly hidden amongst the stars and planets.

The other parts of the mural contain the word 'dream' and the motto 'skate for life'. The entrances to the underpass feature characters from Japanese manga cartoons.

Debs, of Elm Road, Rushmere, is a member of the Kesgrave youth council. She said: "We've had lots of meetings with the town council to approve the kinds of designs they wanted and it's nice to be finally getting on with it.

"I wouldn't say I'm particularly artistic but I do like drawing and I'm especially interested in the manga characters."

David, of Bracken Avenue, Kesgrave, became involved with the project after hearing about it at school. He said: "I think it's a great idea and although it's been hard work it, I think it will make a big difference."

Funding for the project has come from Kesgrave town council, Suffolk police, KDM and Tesco.

Suffolk County Council have also given their backing to the project and assisted by preparing the surface of the underpass ready for the paint to be applied.

Town councillor Keith Beecroft said: "The idea of the project is that if the youngsters are involved in it from the start they can create something they are really proud of and, hopefully, it will be less likely to be damaged in the future."