RAILWAY arches leading into Blackburn are to be given a £15,000 makeover.

Eighteen larger-than-life images spanning more than 100 metres, have been designed to replace the original 1993 archway murals, behind Bolton Road, which have fallen victim to the elements.

The work has been commissioned by Blackburn warehousing and distribution company Gilbraith (TS) Ltd with support from environment group Groundwork Blackburn.

Funding has also come from the government-funded Arts and Business organisation, which promotes partnership work to create art, and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

And the murals are the work of photographer and digital artist Catherine Caton, of Preston, in partnership with Blackburn-based graphics company Source Creative.

The images have been created using digital photography, which have then been printed on to vinyl panels to create a lasting tribute to Gilbraith.

Catherine, 33, said: "A lot of people have put forward ideas for the images, including Gilbraith. They are all based on the haulage theme.

Groundwork Blackburn has worked with Gilbraith over the past 12 months on the project, due to be unveiled on April 8.

Programme manager Nick Riley said: "We worked with Gilbraiths in 1993 to implement the original murals and once it was decided to give them a facelift it was a pleasure to see the whole of the Gilbraith organisation get on board."

Coun Andy Kay, the council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Art has an essential role and is parti-cularly important within the regeneration of the borough."