Children have brightened up the lives of patients and residents by painting a colourful mural opposite the new hospital in Newton Abbot.

Youngsters from Humpty Dumpty Nursery swapped pencils for paint palettes to transform a long stretch of perimeter hoarding on Jetty Marsh Road into a work of art as part of a community initiative staged by construction company Leadbitter.

Children painted an aquatic scene. Youngsters from Knowles Hill School and students from Kings Head Arts College will complete the scene over the coming weeks.

The hoarding has been erected to secure the construction site where 73 new apartments are being built.

The scheme, which is being funded by Sanctuary Housing and built by Leadbitter, started in March and is due for completion in spring 2010. As part of the development three new three storey blocks will be built, which incorporate underground parking for 110 cars. The apartments, a mixture of one and two bedroom properties, will be available to rent, buy and occupy under shared ownership. 

Simon Hunter, Projects Manager for Leadbitter, said: “I think it’s great that the children are coming along to add a little colour to everyone’s lives.

“At the moment the perimeter hoarding is quite bland and dull. Because it faces the main stretch of road directly opposite the new hospital, it has a big impact on people’s mood as they pass by.

“The children were very keen to get involved. They will be able to say to their parents and friends that they helped paint the hoarding and change the landscape for the better.”

Ken Taylor, Construction Manager for Sanctuary Shaftesbury, said: “Sanctuary are very pleased to be associated with this development which will be a significant contribution to housing in Newton Abbot. We are delighted that children from the local community have been able to have a positive involvement in the scheme."