A giant mural being painted in Shipley has drawn mixed reactions from people who live nearby.

Some are angry that there was no consultation about the plan but others say they are delighted with the initiative.

The mural is being painted on the gable end of a house in St Paul's Road as part of Bradford's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Created by German artist Osman Bol in collaboration with Amerjeat Kaur and Shaun Fagan, of Metro Arts - part of Bradford Council's Arts, Heritage and Leisure department - the mural is to feature portraits of Kasim Khan, four, and his two-year-old cousin Hamza Shaukat, who live in the house, alongside well-known images of Shipley and Hamm, its German twin town.

But Valerie Dean, whose Wellington Crescent home overlooks the site, has started a petition to get the project halted.

She said: "We didn't know anything about it till they started - you should have to have planning permission for something like that but we weren't even consulted.

"The design looks all right and it'd be okay in a shopping area but not in a residential one.

"It's going to stand out like a sore thumb, devalue house prices, spoil our view, encourage more graffiti and be in our face every time we look out the back windows.''

However, her next door neighbour Lesley Danson said: "I think it's a fantastic idea that can do nothing but good for the whole area - that wall was quite an eyesore before but now it's going to be something interesting, colourful and fun.''

And resident Joan Bray said: "It'll brighten the area up and represent different cultures.''

Amerjeat Kaur said Bradford Council's planning department was consulted about the mural before work began, adding that an exhibition explaining the project and seeking people's views and ideas had been run at the site yesterday afternoon.

Councillor David Ford (Green, Shipley West) said: "I was unhappy about the initial lack of consultation because community art needs the support of the community but people have now had an opportunity to have some in put and I'm happy to support the mural.''

A Council spokesman said further consultation would be carried out while comments could be passed to policy and research manager Paul King on (01274) 432654.

He said: "Planning permission is not needed for work of this kind where no logos or advertising is used.''