TEENAGERS daubing graffiti on walls is normally classed as vandalism — but youngsters have been encouraged to get their spray cans out at one special site this week.

They have been brightening up a shelter in Westhoughton with colourful designs.

The teenagers, aged 13 to 16, have been letting their creative juices flow at the shelter off Holden Lea, Wingates, as part of a £2,000 project funded by Bolton at Home’s Housing per cent for Art scheme. The scheme has helped more than 200 art projects across the borough over the past 10 years.

Professional graffiti artists from Manchester’s Spearfish organisation showed the youngsters how to paint and encouraged them to think about images they create – rather than just writing or “tagging” names or messages. They have also given them safety advice.

John Cunningham, aged 15, of Wingates, said: “ I have really enjoyed this and have learned lots of new skills.

“I would not do this in a public place but I’d love to do a project like this again.”

The inside of the shelter has been spray painted with the name of Wingates, while the outside wall features a boy and a girl in trendy clothes.

Youth worker Becky Boydell said: “This has transformed the shelter, which already had graffiti on it, into a piece of art.

“The young people like to congregate at the shelter, which is away from houses, and we want it to be safe. They have a new perspective on it.”

Noel Spencer, chairman of Bolton at Home, said: “We are delighted to support this project.

“It has engaged young people to use the shelter and make it their own.”

Full report with pictures in The Bolton News tomorrow