CHILDREN from all four primary schools in Renfrew will be involved in bringing a splash of colour to a rundown underpass after councillors agreed to dish out extra funding for a mural project.

Members of the Renfrew Local Partnership had already agreed to grant £10,000 from the Common Good Fund to the scheme, which will liven up two tunnels in the underpass between Fulbar Avenue and Craigielea Road.

But to make sure every primary school pupil can contribute ideas, councillors have now granted an extra £2,260 to Renfrew YMCA, which is leading the project.

Renfrewshire Council’s environment and infrastructure department has also agreed to upgrade lighting in the tunnels to address concerns about anti-social behaviour.

The extra cash will allow children from Arkleston Primary, Kirklandneuk Primary, Newmains Primary and St  James’ Primary to take part in eight artist development sessions with a professional.

It is understood the pupils will come up with ideas for the mural and these will then be applied by the artist.

Councillor Jane Strang, who represents the area, said: “This is an excellent partnership between schools and youngsters in order to spruce up this part of Renfrewshire.

“The mural can have a really positive effect for our schools who will be involved and for the underpass itself.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the creative designs our talented pupils come up with.”

It was originally hoped the project would be completed by next Easter but it is now set to take longer, due to Renfrewshire being moved into Level 4 of coronavirus restrictions last month.

Renfrew YMCA will work with pupils from each school to come up with and develop ideas with the graffiti artist.

Each child will get to take a graffiti board home to practice on and each group will video blog their journey, from conception of the idea to the day of painting.

Councillor John Shaw, convener of the Renfrew Local Partnership, said: “The project sounds amazing, in that children from all four schools will be involved.

“Hopefully, at the end of it, we’ll have something which looks really very good and it’ll be something the children can be proud of.”