A dark and gloomy underpass has burst into colour.

There is now light not just at the end but all through the pedestrian tunnel beneath Manchester Road in Slaithwaite, thanks to the work of a team of students who have created two huge murals there.

A group from the University of Huddersfield has painted vividly coloured scenes depicting the Slaithwaite skyline and the village’s moonraking legend onto the structure’s sides to make it a more welcoming place to walk through.

The impressive designs were the brainchild of Jessica Wainwright, a third year Contemporary Art and Illustration student, who entered a student union contest called Slaithwaite Underpass Regeneration Project that was put together to help engage students more with their surrounding communities.

She, union executive George Gill and other volunteers took just one week to transfer her designs onto the walls.

Newly painted A62 underpass at Slaithwaite reopens - Clr. Nicola Turner with University of Huddersfield students Jessica Wainwright, Marcus Lane and George Gill.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic with the result”, said George.

“It looked good on paper but I wasn’t sure how well it would transfer.

“First we had to jet wash the sides then give them a few coats of paint so that the mural would stick properly.

“I wanted to get our students more involved in the community and decided this project would be a good way of doing so.

Newly painted A62 underpass at Slaithwaite reopens - University of Huddersfield students Jessica Wainwright, George Gill and Marcus Lane.

“Slaithwaite was perfect because the people got behind us and seemed really pleased with it when they came along to the grand opening.

“I’m only in my role until the summer but I’ve spoken to my successor who may possibly start a similar project on a bigger scale next year.”