THE CREATOR of some eye-catching new artwork on the Oxford Road has revealed her inspiration behind the fantastic designs.

Reading Borough Council commissioned Gemma Anusa, a Reading resident, to create new murals along the eastern end of the Oxford Road by Battle Street Car Park.

The artwork was commissioned as part of a new pot of money set to enable heritage-led regeneration of high streets across England.

GALLERY: Reading falls silent on Remembrance Sunday

Explaining her inspiration behind the design, Gemma said: “The commission was all about the heritage and the hidden stories behind the people of Oxford Road and being on Oxford Road myself, I felt very strongly drawn towards it because I'm aware of how much culture is on the road.

“The two children that are in the murals are my son and my son's friend and I wanted to mix the younger generation with the stories of the older generation and the history all blended into one.

“So the piece was created using a big mix of different media, things like spray paints, pastels, acrylics, and there's loads of different things in there that have made up what I've created.

“The pieces were originally created at home on paper and then taken to a printing shop where it was scaled up and large size onto aluminium sheets.”

READ MORE: I went to The Christmas Shop and here's what I found

Reading is one of 68 areas of England to receive a share of a £95 million government fund having secured High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) status for three conservation areas in the centre of the town.

The town received £806,500 of this fund -- a fund which was matched by Reading Borough Council.

Cllr Karen Rowland said: “I was really excited to come and have a good look at the new murals on the Oxford Road which actually are completing the first bit of funding that we've had with the High Street Heritage Action Zone and our cultural initiative through that.

“That has been really really great because it brings home the importance of the Oxford Road historically as a place where everyone is welcome and that's what those murals do

beautifully and I'm absolutely delighted to see them out there.

“We've gotten tons of great compliments from people walking by and just letting me know how much they've enjoyed a bright little bit of colour along Oxford Road.”

READ MORE: All of the exciting new restaurants coming to Reading town centre

Now the council is appealing for creatives to come forward for another round of funding for cultural projects on the Oxford Road.

A share of £30,000 to develop new projects with local people to celebrate the history and diverse cultures of the Oxford Road is available in three pots of £4,000 and two pots of £9,000.

For more information on the essential criteria and how to apply please email HSHAZ@reading.gov.uk