Red squirrel mural launches global art project

A large squirrel mural has been painted in a Cornish town as part of a global project to highlight endangered species.

Marc Craig's three-storey-high design on a wall in Market Strand, in Redruth, has launched his Ark of Extinction project.

The artist is set to design other animal murals in the UK, Ireland and the United States focusing on endangered species such as red squirrels which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mr Craig said he wanted to "galvanise local pride around critically-endangered animals" through the artworks.

The red squirrel mural's design is made up of white bones painted by Mr Craig with the artwork taking four days to complete.

Mr Craig said it felt wonderful to launch the project in Cornwall.

"My mum is very much Cornish and I said if I could get the first mural done in Cornwall, it would be really special to me," he said.

Rebecca Pearce, Redruth Town Council's communications co-ordinator, said it was great to have the project launched in the town.

"It was a fantastic opportunity for the town to be part of something that is such a global project and who wouldn't want a three-storey red squirrel in their town," she said.

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