AFTER rain stopped play an artist has finally put the finishing touches to a mural.

Designed with the help of school children, the mural -- on the corner of Queen Street and Park Road, Great Harwood -- reflects the local and natural history of the area.

Colne-based artist Paul Hartley started work on the scene -- on the site of an old bus shelter -- last autumn but the project was shelved soon after because of the wet winter weather. Spring saw a return to work and yesterday the mural was officially opened.

Pupils from Norden High School, St Wulstan's RC Primary and Great Harwood Youth and Community Centre -- who were all involved in the original designs -- were on hand to see the work unveiled. They were joined by members of the Great Harwood Prospects Panel, which was responsible for organising the scheme as part of improvement for the town.