Ten paramilitary murals are to be given a 'makeover' as the first part of a new initiative, launched by Belfast City Council.

The initiative is being funded through the Arts Council's 'Re-imaging Communities' programme, which is helping to transform local communities across Northern Ireland by tackling the visible signs of sectarianism and racism and creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.

A total of 12 re-imaging projects across Belfast will reflect the positive changes and social regeneration taking place in these communities, including helping the communities to replace existing murals with positive images reflecting their culture, according to the council.

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Each project will involve an artist working with the relevant community to develop artwork of high quality which will replace existing sectarian murals and slogans and tidy up unsightly areas to reclaim space for the communities to enjoy and celebrate their culture in a non-offensive way.

The first phase of the 'Re-imaging Communities' programme will see 10 murals in the lower Shankill removed and replaced with new ones, charting the social, cultural and industrial heritage of the area.

Over recent months, artists have been consulting widely with a range of community groups, including the Lower Shankill Community Association, residents, and community workers, to identify possible themes for the new murals.

Recently, a public meeting took place in Denmark Street Community Centre to outline what work has been done so far and to look at how to progress the project.

This will be followed by a series of workshops, to develop the concepts for the replacement murals, which will use a combination of traditional mural skills and modern digital production techniques.

(PR)