FOR many people graffiti on a wall is just a mess that needs cleaning up.

However, an ambitious scheme under way in Winchester is hoping to challenge that view.

The project has been set up by Winchester's Graffiti Busters team, made up of representatives of the police, the city council and the probation service, with the help of the Winchester Youth Service.

It is an example of the kind of initiative the Daily Echo Neighbourhood Wash campaign is looking to back across Hampshire.

The simple idea is to free up some space on blank walls throughout the city and let the young people go to work with their spray cans.

The result is formerly dark alleyways, like the test site at Cross Keys Passage, now covered in brightly coloured artwork.

Because the scheme is officially sanctioned, there is none of the offensive language or unintelligible scribbles that often cause concern among residents.

The work at Cross Keys Passage near The Broadway has been done by young people ranging in age from eight to 16.

They were helped on their way by local artist and mum of two Keziah Hoffman, 27.

She said: "This type of scheme is important for several different reasons: Firstly, because it gives young artists a place to go and do it where it's above board and legal, and secondly, because once other artists see what's been done here, it will force standards of work up.

"Too many people fail to see good graffiti work as art, but it is and it brightens up dull and dreary parts of the city with interesting murals.

"A lot of thought goes into creating these pieces."

The Daily Echo Neighbour-hood Wash campaign looks at ways in which people can help to clean up their community.

If you need help to clean up a local eyesore or if you want to promote something you are doing to make your community a nicer place to live, let us know.

Write, ring or e-mail with details to Vicki Green-Steel, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX, 023 8042 4711, or e-mail: vicki.green-steel@soton-echo.co.uk.