Progress on a new Hatters-themed mural near the Armoury Roundabout in Edgeley continues in earnest.

And in a special appearance today, ace Stockport County defender Ethan Pye donned his creative hat and lent a helping hand to the project.

The mural is located at the junction of Castle Street and Mercian Way. Spray paint artist Oskar and poet Ruth Awolola are spearheading the design, writing and painting of the artwork, and enlisting help where they can.

Not only has Pye been involved; 12 local secondary school pupils have also been helping out.

Speaking to Nub News, Ethan said: "It's amazing - it's great for the community, especially with the kids getting involved.

"On match days - or any day, really - thousands of people are going to see this."

Secondary school pupils have also been helping out in both the design and production of the project (Image - Alasdair Perry)

The artwork is expected to be completed within a week. It will pay homage to the club's anthem 'The Scarf My Father Wore', about a much-loved scarf being passed down through generations of Hatters fans.

The project has been funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund - £14,800 in all. It is a collaboration between the football club and two north-west organisations, GRIT Studios and The Writing Squad.

Artist Oskar has appeared on The One Show, and has worked for clients such as O2, Rudy's Neapolitan, BT, and more.

Ruth is a winner of the National Youth Slam competition, and has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe, Hay Literature Festival, and more.

GRIT Studios is well-known locally for the town centre workshop and for massive local projects, such as La Boca to La Stocka and Art Battle (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Poet Ruth said: "It's been amazing. It's been great to meet the young people, to get to know them, to hear about their connections to the club. It's been really collaborative, and I think that's born from what Stockport County do - they get really involved in the community.

"The community has been very accepting, helping us out with the project and talking to us - I can't wait to put their words together to make a poem."

Artist Oskar said: "It's really lovely to be part of a proper community project. Getting young people to be creative, getting them using spray paint for the first time and to do something for the community that they're really proud of."

Alison Warwood, County Community Trust CEO commented: 'This project shows how art and writing by young people can make a real difference to the local community, and I can't wait to see the end result.'

John Macaulay from GRIT Studios added: "We're thrilled to be involved in such a collaborative and community-spirited initiative. Our young artists will be helping to create a lasting landmark that will become a focal point in Edgeley for years to come."

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