Mural covers hole in the wall

An artist's labour-of-love mural featuring the long lost buildings of a Black Country town is set to be finished next week after four months of "blood, sweat and tears."

And Wayne Edwards, who uses the alias Chu, is hoping his work of art makes it into the record books as the world's biggest graffiti mural. Blakenall-born Chu has been working on the side of the famous Hole in the Wall factory in Walsall – a fabric shop which attracts customers from all over the country. He said today that he has almost finished his artwork on the 3,000 sq ft canvas close to St Matthew's church.

The mural features long-lost buildings of Walsall, and Chu hopes it will be a huge hit. He has spent four months creating his masterpiece and has set next week as its completion date.

He said: "I'm hoping its all going to be done and dusted by next week. There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears going into the piece but its my tribute to Walsall, and I hope people will like it."

Parts of the mural is only properly visible through 3D glasses.

In April 2004, the Hole in the Wall shop building was razed to the ground. More than 100 firefighters tackled the flames which took hold of a wide area including Peel Street and Goodall Street. Fire crews spent days damping down and the town centre was brought to a standstill with roads into the heart of Walsall affected.

But despite losing its entire stock in the £1 million fire the business, which sells curtains and haberdashery, was able to reopen next door three months later.

Chu is also set to make his mark at Walsall illuminations this year.

State-of-the-art LEDs will light up the Arboretum as part of Chu's piece which is a 200ft long corridor of light.

Chu was the first graffiti artist to re-paint an 18-carriage Virgin train when he was commissioned by Virgin Trains with Gorrillaz artist Jamie Hewlett. He has been visiting the lights show for years, ever since he was child, and said he wanted to play his part in this year's new look event.

Tickets at £5 and £3.50 for children are available by telephoning 0845 111 2900 or by logging on at www.walsall-lights.com