IT HAS taken 13 big tins of paint, plenty of brushes and the artistic flair of dozens of youngsters.

After a weekend of colourful painting one of Fareham's most notorious crime hotspots has been transformed into a welcoming place.

Once a drab, bleak, uninviting area, the subway at The Gillies now has a brightly-coloured mural inspired by the theme of movement. Against a backdrop of pink, orange, green, blue and purple children have come up with designs ranging from musical notes to skateboarders.

Peter Phillips of Fareham Community Church and Richard Coghlan of Fareham Baptist Church oversaw the project. They invited children from schools, Scout groups and different churches across the borough to come up with creative designs to brighten up a part of the town.

After talks with Fareham council, Hampshire County Council and the police it was agreed the subway at The Gillies linking Fareham and Redlands Lane could do with a new lease of life.

"From the start we just had this vision of doing the subway up," said Mr Phillips.

"The feedback we have had from the local neighbours and people walking through has been very good. It shows that youngsters want to do something to improve the community in which they live.

"The theme of movement is very appropriate because there are so many pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders using the subway."

Thirty youngsters from church groups, Scouts and local schools turned out to help with the transformation. Skateboarders who regularly use the subway also gave a helping hand.

The police awarded a £2,000 grant towards the project. Elliot's Builders Merchants in Fareham also donated materials.

The walls of the subway have been sprayed with an anti-graffiti sealant so the youngsters' hard work stays in tip top condition for years to come.