A PIECE of artwork designed by a Prestatyn-born graffiti artist has been chosen to be used on a mural which will decorate the town’s railway station.

The design was created by Andy Birch, who now lives in Colwyn Bay and works under the name ‘Dime One’, and depicts Prestatyn’s Roman heritage and its popularity with walkers and beachgoers.

Residents voted for their favourite of four shortlisted designs at Prestatyn Library between December 1-8, with Andy’s effort receiving more than half of the total votes cast.

It is hoped that the mural, which is to be located on the bridge underpass of the station on the disused platform, will be in place next year.

Sherry Edwards, secretary of the award-winning Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station group, has been planning a mural at the station for seven years, and said: “Next year will be the Queen’s (Platinum) Jubilee year, and it would be lovely to have it up before June at the latest, so it looks as if the station is also celebrating such an historic occasion.

“It’s going to look fabulous there, because the gardens will come into bloom again in the summer.

“The standard of entries was very high and we are very grateful to the artists who came up with some interesting and innovative designs geared to promoting the town as a destination for walkers, our Roman heritage and of course the beach.

“We are grateful also to the library staff who allowed us to base the consultation there, and for helping with the display.”

Funding for the mural, which will be approximately 30ft long by 9ft high and will join the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ sign and wooden sculpture of a hiker, will be provided by Transport for Wales.

A Transport for Wales spokesperson said earlier this month: “We’re delighted to be working with Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station on their plans to brighten up the station and surrounding area with new artwork.

“This is part of our wider work supporting community rail groups throughout the Wales and Borders network, which is a key part of our Community Rail Vision and helps build stronger links with the communities we serve.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the creative designs come to fruition.”

Andy, 47, has been painting graffiti art since early 1987, and has roughly 34 years of mural painting experience, along with 30 years of qualified painting and decorating.

He has been a full-time graffiti artist since 2008, painting murals and running community workshops across North Wales.

In the past, he has created artwork for the likes of Denbighshire County Council, S4C, BBC Cymru, numerous gyms, football clubs and businesses, and many more.

Andy said: “It piqued my interest, so I had a look and got in touch with sherry. I had a look at the station and the remit, and came up with an idea to fit in with what they wanted.

“It was just to try and keep it a very strong visual image of what Prestatyn is about.

“From talking to Sherry, they were very keen on including the Roman heritage, and obviously the walkers and the beach, and the fact that the railway line was once a lifeline to North Wales. Towns like Prestatyn existed on that lifeline.

“I think it’s now a case of waiting to hear back from Transport for Wales, then we need to come together with some sort of costing for them, and a proposal of how I’m going to go about creating it.

“A new splash of colour is what I’m aiming for; something bright and bold for people to see there.”

Plans are also in place for an information board to be installed at Prestatyn station, informing visitors, in both English and Welsh, about its illustrious history dating back to the mid-1800s.

This is pending permission being granted by Network Rail.