SOME "truly inspiring" murals have been painted on the walls of youth centre on a Bradford estate.

The sports hall at the Springfield Youth Centre on Thorpe Edge, have been decorated with 15 inspirational sports stars, hand-painted by a group of children aged 10 to 15 year old.

Cllr Jeanette Sunderland, who is the chair of the trustees at the Springfield Youth Centre, said: "It's been an internal redecoration of the property.

"These children produced some truly inspiring pieces of artwork.

The children started making the artwork in August and the centre also held an art show in the autumn to showcase the work.

Chris, an artist who guided the children as they painted the murals, described the wall murals as a monochrome in the style of Jackson Pollock.

Footballer Marcus Rashford MBE, basketball player Lebron James, tennis player Emma Raducana, young skateboarder Sky Brown, sprinter Usain Bolt and even former pro wrestler turned movie star Duane Johnson were amongst the sports stars painted by the children.

"They all had to be inspirational to the kids in some way," said Chris.

He said being able to create in the centre's art room was a "difference space" for them rather than being out on the streets.

"It showed them what they could achieve when they put their mind to it.

"The kids love creating this type of artwork," said Chris. "It unleashes their freedom and was so fun."

He said at first the children were a bit hesitant if they spilled paint, but he told them not to worry about it.

"We've made a complete mess of the art room," he said. "I'm an artist, I'm meant to be messy.

"They've done a fantastic job, each and every one of them."

But painting sports stars is not the only artwork the children have been creating.

Cllr Sunderland said they also painted wall murals of an underwater scene to highlights issues about climate change and the amount of plastic in the sea.

Another mural features a theme highlighting the human rights of a child, and the youth centre's work has been recognised by the charity UNICEF.

Cllr Sunderland said the youth centre has a huge programme of activities and the centre is doing well after lockdowns had a big impact.

"We almost closed because of Covid," she said. "But we fed 150 families in the area during the pandemic.

"The work these young people are doing is amazing."