A stunning mural is now on show at the Northern Echo Arena thanks to a year-long arts project.

The masterpiece, made entirely of plastic bottle tops, depicts Darlington railway pioneer Joseph Pease in front of the Quakers club crest.

It will be displayed at the Arena for six months to help promote the history of Darlington as well as the need for people to re-cycle.

The work was produced by the Structured Day Care clients of the North East Council on Addictions (NECA), Darlington, who worked over a year, securing funding through the Prince's Trust, collecting materials, planning the project and engaging to complete the final piece as a community arts project.

Local artist Yvonne Preston was funded to assist the clients with the design and construction of the final piece of work.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this group of people," said Yvonne. "They have made me feel very welcome, shown lots of great personality and commitment and really taken ownership of their work."

The Structured Day Care team are responsible for providing intensive community based support, treatment and rehabilitation which offer clear programmes of defined activities and group work.

Trish Stephenson, of NECA, said: "Structured Day Care clients are delighted to have created this work for the benefit of the community, promotion of the football club and to promote re-cycling in Darlington.

"The dedication and teamwork from the clients is commendable. The sense of good citizenship and community involvement is something we strive to achieve with an otherwise excluded group."

The project included working in partnership with many agencies including Age Concern, to which members accessing the organisation made a substantial contribution to the collection of the bottle tops.

Others involved included partnership agencies such as the National Probation Service, 700 Club and The Elmfield Centre who contributed to the client engagement and collection of materials, while members of the local community and shops also offered their support.