GRAFFITI has undergone an image makeover in Watchet where young people have put their spray can talents to good use.

More than 30 local youngsters have been taking part in a street art project which is transforming the inside of the Multi Use Games Area at the town's Memorial Ground.

With the help of professional graffiti artist Lee Kirby, the young artists came up with a series of designs which have been turned into large scale graphic images on wooden boards around the MUGA.

Local police community support officer Rachel Cutler, who works closely with Watchet Youth Club, is behind the initiative.

She secured funding from Somerset Crimebeat and the Community Safety Partnership to get the project off the ground.

Watchet LIVE - the organisation behind the town's annual carnival and music festival - donated some of the paint and materials, while Watchet's Co-Op provided refreshments when the designs became a reality last weekend.

Watchet town councillor Ruth Gavenlock, former teacher now poet Pete Stevenson and Che Percival from the town's youth club also helped out.

"This project has been a huge success," said Mrs Cutler.

"While graffiti art is perceived to be anti-social, this project shows that, in fact, with the right talent, respect and skills, graffiti is very much an art.

"I am very proud of the young people."

The area around the MUGA is due to be finished with a multi-image mural of Watchet within the next few weeks.

Photo: Steve Guscott