A COLCHESTER-based artist has put the finishing touches to an impressive mural aiming to get people to think about making the city greener. 

Artist Adrian Leroy has finished his third mural in St Mary’s car park in aid of Colchester City Council’s project, CAReless Pollution campaign in partnership with Clean Air Colchester.

Mr Leroy, of Leroy Murals, has created two other murals as part of the campaign, in Queen Street and St John’s car park.

Gazette: Campaign - Adrian's mural in St Mary's car parkCampaign - Adrian's mural in St Mary's car park (Image: Adrian Leroy)

The artist has a specific passion for nature, with a lot of his artwork featuring wildlife and plants.

He has been painting for more than 20 years, typically using bright and cheerful colours.

His work also features at the Mayflower Forest School in Dovercourt, Dusty’s in Colchester and Ipswich waterfront.

Adrian said: “The St Mary’s car park mural is the third in a series of murals I have been commissioned to paint by Colchester Council as part of their important CAReless Pollution campaign to encourage car drivers to stop idling.

Gazette: Message - art work showing how car fumes often pollute air around schoolsMessage - art work showing how car fumes often pollute air around schools (Image: Adrian Leroy)

“Each of the murals help raise awareness of the importance of clean air in our city.

“I have painted walkers, cyclists and even included cargo bikes, to illustrate how we can all contribute by making choices that are better for the air and therefore our health.

“In each mural, there is also a car showing how bad air (nitrous oxide and particular matter) is produced by vehicle exhausts.

“In the St Mary’s mural I included a school, as unfortunately idling often happens outside schools when adults sit in their cars with their engines running while they wait for children to come out.

Gazette: Landmarks - the art includes Colchester landmarksLandmarks - the art includes Colchester landmarks (Image: Adrian Leroy)

“This is a particular worry because bad air can affect the developing lungs of children and contribute to asthma and other lung problems.

“Children at various schools in Colchester, including St Thomas More’s have used air quality monitors to measure air pollution and they have shown levels are high near their schools.

“I hope that by having my murals in car parks it will remind vehicle drivers to think about their behaviour and do their bit to help the air we all have to breathe in Colchester.”