Exmouth’s Marine Way underpass has been transformed with a colourful mural thanks to the artistic skills of youngsters from six primary schools and a local artist.

The opening of the newly-decorated tunnel was attended by 150 members of the public, of all ages, who during the day added their own unique finishing touches to the mural, which depicts local points of interest including Woodbury Common, Orcombe Point, A la Ronde, the lifeboat station, and Phear Park.

Artist Hayley Watson worked with pupils from Exeter Road, Withycombe Raleigh, St Josephs, Marpool, Littleham and Bassetts Farm schools, and the project’s joint coordinators, East Devon District Council’s Community Development Service, Exmouth Town Council, and Councillor Pat Graham.

Exmouth mayor Brian Cole, who cut the ribbon to open the revamped underpass, said: “The work carried out on the Marine Way underpass by all the volunteers has transformed this area.

“It is now a pleasure to walk through the underpass and to view the designs that have been produced. The project demonstrates that people of Exmouth ,and especially the youth, really care about their town.”

East Devon community development worker Mark Gerry, who worked closely with Hayley Watson on the project, said he was grateful to a number of local businesses for contributing materials, including Wilsons Paints, Homeworx, and Bargain Arts.

Councillor Graham said: “When I started working on this project I had no idea that it would turn out so well. It always surprises me that people working together can achieve so much.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped: to South West Water for the initial clean up, to Wilsons Paints who provided materials, to Hayley who designed and worked on the mural, to the children who helped with the painting, to the town council who supported us and finally to Mark Gerry who coordinated the whole project.”