AN artist has paid homage to her hometown by painting a mural depicting some of Bolton’s most famous figures.

Amanda Ryan, 42, spent around a year putting the piece together, which is the first painting she has ever done.

The mural is composed of two sides — one side features famous inventions and technology from the past, while the other features portraits of well-known past and present Boltonians, including Amir Khan, Jason Kenny, Fred Dibnah and Samuel Crompton.

It takes pride of place at Lord’s Independent School in Breightmet Street, Bolton, where Miss Ryan worked with students to brainstorm ideas.

Miss Ryan, of Sutton Road, Deane, was approached by the school to paint the mural, having previously worked there as a support assistant.

After holding a focus group and visiting the pupils on a weekly basis, Miss Ryan was able to illustrate Bolton, using acrylic paint, charcoal and marker pens.

She said: “I’m really pleased with how it looks, given that it was my first attempt at painting on that sort of scale.

“A lot of the children’s ideas were very diverse and original. There’s a good blend of Bolton’s past and present on the mural — people who reflect Bolton’s engineering past, and modern day subcultures like breakdancing and skateboarding.”

Miss Ryan has been an artist for 20 years and in that time has opened five different exhibitions of her work, including an exhibition at The Octagon Theatre.

She currently works for Age UK Bolton, where she runs oil painting and photography classes every Tuesday.

She is looking to paint other murals on a voluntary basis at two venues in the borough.

For information email amandaryanhi@hotmail.com.