Fred Longworth students create Tyldesley mural with street artist Emma Hardaker

Taking shape on Elliott Street, the mural is the culmination of months of research, planning and design work from students at Fred Longworth High School and Leeds-based artist Emma Hardaker.

Created with bold and striking colours, each tile of the mural is a reference to the heritage and architecture of Tyldesley.

Each tile has been created in reference to Tyldesley's heritage and architecture

To give the Year 11 students inspiration, they were given a tour by local heritage groups to uncover the history and often overlooked aspects of the town centre's historic buildings.

Taking over 300 pictures of town centre buildings, these images were then refined and perfected through workshops with Emma - whose work can be seen on buildings in cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds. 

After months of planning, the large-scale mural was finally completed by Emma last month.

Emma Hardaker

Speaking about the artwork and planning process, Emma said: "I always try to create my work in a participatory way that gives ownership and pride back to the people who live there.

"We used Tyldesley town centre as a starting point and created each tile in an abstract or contemporary way, so that the mural feels nostalgic and harks back to the past but also in a way that is fresh and modern."

Now that the mural has been completed, Emma said that the students felt a real sense of pride and achievement as their co-creation will be on show for generations to come.

Emma's murals can be seen in cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds

Emma, 30, added: "The mural is round the corner from the Fred Longworth school and I think it's incredible that the students can say they were a part of this story.

"I like to use bold and striking colours to brighten up a place, but I think the greatest thing about murals is the conscious thinking about its meaning.

"It causes curiosity and makes people break out of the every day - even if they don't like the art, it at least forces them to think about it."

Students are said to feel "incredible" about their work in the planning process