A STREET artist has been giving parts of Taunton a colourful makeover by creating a series of murals celebrating Somerset’s wildlife.

Louis Masai has brightened up four walls in North Taunton this week in a collaboration between Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset Art Works.

The works are part of the trust’s Routes to the River Tone project, which highlights the rich variety of nature in Taunton’s urban environment.

Along with works created by children and local artists, the murals will form an art trail due to open this autumn.

Nick Tomlinson, project manager for Routes to the River Tone, said: “Our town has some rich pockets of wildlife and green corridors that offer the more eagle-eyed the blue flash of a kingfisher or the sleek back of an otter.

“However, many of us are probably unaware that these amazing creatures live so close, as we dash about during our daily work or school commute, expecting to only see such beauty when we visit a nature reserve or venture out into the countryside.”

Louis’s paintings include Somerset’s bats, water voles, bees and hedgehogs.

Beccy Swaine, Somerset Art Works’ learning and engagement manager, said: “This is a thought provoking arts project for North Taunton that will naturally engage with its teenagers alongside all age groups, as they cannot fail to witness nature with attitude taking to the streets.”

The Guerrilla Art Trail is set to open in late September and a guided walk is being organised for Sunday, October 4, as part of the Somerset Art Weeks festival.