COLOURFUL murals depicting iconic sights from the parish church to Peter Rabbit are charming locals and visitors alike at the centre of Kendal.

In a gateway leading to Kendal Hostel, on Highgate, town sights and the surrounding area are pictured alongside with iconic Beatrix Potter characters.

Jan Nicholson and her daughter Kristina Rowe, who run the hostel, thought that murals would be a good way to tell their visitors about Kendal.

Ms Nicholson said: “Kendal is a very historical town and as a blue badge guide always try to tell a story to people I’m showing around Kendal, rather than just facts. The mural is a visual way to tell visitors, who are walking around and exploring, about Kendal.”

Created by artist going by the name Jagz, who was staying in the hostel when he was commissioned, the murals took four weeks of brushwork to complete.

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Ms Nicholson said: “The murals are a great talking point. People come to take pictures of them and ask questions.”

Mr Jagz said: “Japanese tourists especially love the cat on the mural. They take picture of him and send it to their friends in Japan. It’s great.”

Mr Jagz, 58, who describes himself as a travelling artist, enjoyed the task even though he usually concentrates depicting fantasy topics.

“I did it because I love Cumbria and I love Kendal, and the people in it. They are absolutely superb people, who make everybody feel welcomed and they did that to me”, he said. “I came to Kendal for one night and have now been here for five weeks. This is my way of saying ‘thank you Kendal.’”

The murals have proven popular and passers-by have approached Mr Jagz to tell him how they have transformed the alleyway bright and colourful.

Mr Jagz said: “The murals were done to make people stop and look and walk away with a smile on their faces and with a warm heart. If they can do that I am satisfied.”