A wall that was a magnet for unsightly graffiti has been transformed into a community mural to promote recycling, with the help of local artist Fra Maher.

An area of a west Belfast community which was a magnet for anti-social behaviour has been spruced up with the help of a local artist and Belfast City Council.

The wall, opposite shops on Lenadoon Avenue, was frequently covered in graffiti but has now been transformed into a community mural to promote recycling.

Councillor Gerard O`Neill, deputy chairman of the council`s Health and Environmental Services Committee, said he was delighted with how the project had turned out.

“Before this was a really unattractive brown wall which was a blank canvas for people to come and paint slogans or graffiti. Now it has been transformed into something for the whole community, promoting really positive messages and brightening up the whole area,” he said.

Artist Fra Maher is well-known in the area and is involved with the community`s young people. He talked to them about his plans and said they were entirely onboard with his creation.

The mural depicts images associated with recycling and waste management, and also includes handy telephone numbers for the community.