A COMMUNITY mural has been created to celebrate a town’s cultural heritage and commercial future.

Councillors from the Coalfield Area Committee have been working with traders in Hetton-le-Hole to promote the area with a Shop Local campaign.

The mural, which will provide a focal point for that campaign, painted on the gable end of Market Street, was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Doris MacKnight.

It has been designed and spray-painted by Sunderland street artist Frank Styles, to reflect the history of Hetton and Copt Hill.

The community mural was the idea of a Market Street businesswoman Charlene Ortiz, of Number One Hair and Beauty Salon.

Chairman of Market Street Traders Association, Kevin Hosking, said: “The retailers are delighted and proud of Frank’s Mural which has captured the history of Hetton and we are looking forward to explore further ways to promote the Shop Local campaign to bring together both retailers and the community for a brighter future.”