A MURAL depicting Portishead past, present and future has been unveiled in Portishead.

The eight-panel work of art stands on the proposed site for a railway station in Harbour Road and is part of the campaign to re-open the Portishead to Bristol rail link.

At the unveiling, carried out by North Somerset MP Dr Liam Fox on Saturday, Portishead Railway group chairman Alan Matthews said permission had been granted for the 3ft mural to remain in place for the next five years or until the station is built, which could be sooner.

The mural, which took months to complete, was painted by artist Aili Purdy from Portishead.

Aili consulted with residents for ideas for the mural and used images of various school children from the town in the painting.

It was commissioned by Pure Offices at Kestrel Court along with Crest Nicholson and Persimmon Homes who have been working closely with Portishead Railway Group.

A spokesman for Pure Offices said: “You need to look carefully to catch all the detail in the mural, you will find everything from ships of the past to the old power station and even animals that you find in Weston Big Wood.”

Winners of a railway art poster competition were also announced at the unveiling event.

Entrants were asked to produce a poster that could be displayed at railway stations across the land to help promote Portishead as a desirable destination.

Portishead resident and artist Bryan Evans was awarded first place, Alexander James also from Portishead came second and Susan Ullyott from Weston third.

The winners were given signed copies the latest a railway poster art book by Dr Richard Furness and Bryan also received a �50 gift voucher for artist materials.

The posters are expected to be presented to the town for public display through the Chamber of Commerce and town council.