TWO young Blackburn-based artists have embarked on their first major project with a dramatic mural for the new £13.5 million Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre.

Sophie Skellern and Emma Catlow, are the creative brains behind the artwork which will sit on the Feilden Street side of the new complex.

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The design incorporates a human body circled by a pattern of geometric shapes inspired by baroque architecture and Islamic tiling.

Twenty-three-year-old Sophie who studied fine art at University Centre Blackburn, undertook the project while working as an intern for Blackburn is Open.

Emma, 21, from Blackburn, studied for a degree in art and design at the University of Leeds before entering a selection process to join Sophie in designing the public art piece.

The pair were brought together by Blackburn is Open cultural and arts project and asked to create the public artwork to decorate the building that both reflected and celebrated the town and its different histories and heritages.

Working with Blackburn College students they came up with the design unveiled yesterday.

Emma, who runs her own art practice, said: “Blackburn has a strong mix of culture, so the idea was to capture this without forgetting the industrial heritage of the town.

“And while I’m excited that this will be on permanent public display I’m also nervous that everything will work out as we have envisaged, as everyone will see it! It’s a huge responsibility. ”

Sophie said she was “chuffed to bits” with the opportunity to undertake such a prestigious scheme so soon after graduating.

She added:“It’s an exciting opportunity that people rarely get.”

Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre was officially opened in March by Olympic double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington.

The new centre has a six-lane 25 metre swimming pool, complete with two water slides and a children’s water fun zone.

It is also home to a dance and aerobics room, a spinning studio, a gym, two sports halls and a sports science lab.

The Feilden Street venue replaces the much-loved 26-year-old Waves Water Fun Centre in Nab Lane, which is to be demolished.

It will be used by college students and borough residents.

The council contributed £8.5 million to the scheme, with the remaining £5 million from the college.