NELSON is thought to be the first town in the North West to celebrate its townspeople with an original eye-catching mural showing a snapshot of more than 150 people who live, work or study in the East Lancashire town.

The 72-foot-long mural was unveiled by the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Colin Waite, yesterday opposite Nelson Town Hall at the site of the former Grand Cinema.

It pictures a wide range of local people from traditional Lancashire cloth cap characters to mohican college students and refugees who have fled to the town from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sarah Lee, from the council's promotions team, said: "We asked people to supply photographs and went out on the streets taking pictures to make a big impact in the heart of Nelson town centre.

"We have been amazed by the range of interesting people we have photographed and the mural will celebrate Nelson's friendly, multi-cultural community.

"There are also mirrored sections so that everyone can be on the mural -- even if it's just for 15 seconds."

Those featured on the mural received a special invitation to its launch yesterday lunchtime and some of them are pictured with the mayor at the unveiling.

The project was supported by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.