AN ARTIST has been chosen to paint 12 murals as a town revives its market.

Dom Cliffe, 28, is set to paint his passion for the town he was born and bred in, on the cabin shutters in Haslingden Market.

His murals will create a timeline from when the town was first discovered.

MORE TOP STORIES:

It comes as part of a revival project to modernise the market by organising themed events and making it more attractive to younger shoppers.

Mr Cliffe said it was an ‘honour’ to be chosen to breathe new life into the market.

He said: “It is such a proud moment. I was born and bred in Haslingden and I feel I have a real allegiance to the town.

“It was a bit of shock when I got asked to do this but it is an enormous pleasure. My grandparents loved Haslingden Market and used to have a shop in the town years ago. One murals will be dedicated to them.

“I am excited to put a little bit of history into each mural. I want to get things like the Halo and the swimming baths in.

“I’d like to thank all the traders and the community for giving me this chance to give something back to the town.”

Mr Cliffe has been painting ever since he could pick up a paintbrush and over the years has done wall murals, graffiti work and designed clothes.

Schoolchildren in the town are set to get involved in the project and will design their own mural. It is hoped that some of the work will be started before Christmas. So far events such as a Hallowe’en Bazaar, Victorian Christmas market and craft market have been organised to get more people visiting the stalls.

Trader Selina Hope said: “Dom’s work is really fantastic and he will bring some heritage to the cabin shutters which I think is vitally needed.

“We want to modernise the market because people are not coming to traditional markets as much anymore.”

Mr Cliffe is now looking for views on what he should paint. Email him on domcliffe@hotmail.co.uk.