GRAFFITI artists from Manchester have painted a tribute to a local war hero on a house in Leigh.

Tony Brady, known as “Kelzo”, and Evan Barlow designed the mural which shows First World War veteran Alfred Robert Wilkinson who was a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

The artwork, on Twist Lane, was completed in time for Remembrance Sunday.

“Whenever I was in Leigh, and I would get the bus back to Manchester I used to pass this wall on Twist Lane and think I’d love to paint that one day.

“I thought it would be a great idea to paint Alfred Wilkinson in time for Remembrance Sunday on the gable end, so I posted my idea on to a community Facebook group in Leigh to see what people thought,” Kelzo said.

After seeking approval from residents, Kelzo contacted local councillors to ask for their support in creating the mural.

“I got a phone call from Jo Platt [the former Leigh MP] and she was really keen in helping me make it happen,” he said.

Alfred Robert Wilkinson was born December 5 1986, and was enlisted to the Royal Scots Grey at the outbreak of war in 1914.

He also served in the second Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, and 1/5th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army. e was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of Selle, delivering a vital message under heavy machine gunfire.

He died from carbon monoxide poisoning in 1940 during a mining accident at Bickershaw Colliery.

Kelzo said: “The reactions from the people of Leigh who have passed by as we were doing the artwork were incredible.

“Everyone was beeping their car horns and giving up thumbs ups or walking past and stopped to give us compliments.

“The residents were just so supportive it’s been such a beautiful thing to be involved in.”

The idea behind the artwork was first sparked after the pair were involved with another war mural in Salford.