IN PICTURES and VIDEO: Graffiti artist creates striking mural at The Way Youth Zone

A graffiti artist has been sharing his tips and tricks to help youngsters in Wolverhampton create a striking mural.

Neil Willis has helped young people at The Way Youth Zone design the colourful 8ft by 20ft creation to commemorate the opening of the facility.

It will adorn the entrance of The Way, which will officially open on January 16.

Mr Willis, who is from Telford, said: "I've really enjoyed the young people actually getting involved and putting their stamp on the new premises because this is their building.

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"It's an amazing facility and I think if you put one of these buildings in every county you'd see a massive difference in the young people and in society."

Philippa Gregory, development manager at The Way, added: "This piece of art was very much the creation of the young people and they should be very proud that it will stand for years to come."

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Kashmire Hawker, member of the Youth Parliament for Wolverhampton, said: "We really tried to go creative and the slogan represents the values of the Youth Zone network.

"This mural really demonstrates just how far the Youth Zone has come and what represents Wolverhampton really."

Social enterprise group Bromford, one of the founder patrons of The Way, supported the graffiti project.

Director John Wade said: "We share The Way's determination to improve the lives of young people and to bring out their potential. Some of our customers' children and others selected from The Way have been able to bring their own ideas to the project and work as a group to agree on a concept and design, culminating in creating the final artwork which will be seen by everyone who visits The Way."

The Way, on School Street, is a £6m youth centre for the city's young people.

It will include facilities such as five-a-side football, a climbing wall, media suite and cooking area.

It has received strong support from successful entrepreneur and owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Steve Morgan OBE, and with additional backing from The Queen's Trust and St James's Place Foundation, will open for the city's young people from early 2016.

Based on existing Youth Zones in Carlisle, Oldham, Manchester, Blackburn and Wigan, which were all created in the image of the original Bolton Lads and Girls Club model, The Way will offer young people the best-in-class facilities and opportunities to access a range of activities.