RESIDENTS of Nelson are being urged to get on both sides of the camera to take pictures for a grand community mural.

The mural, which will be more than 30ft long, is part of a Pendle Council initiative to help brighten up the site, formally Nelson's Grand Cinema.

The building re-opened as the Auditorium nightclub but was destroyed by fire in May 2000. The derelict land has been called 'an eyesore' by Pendle's Mayor Councillor Colin Waite.

He said: "The mural will be designed to be a snap shot of life in Nelson. It is all about being part of the community and taking an active role so that residents can relate to it.

"We want as many people as possible to come and have a look. There is no excuse for them not to travel to Nelson because we have free parking."

Anyone who lives or works in Nelson could have their picture featured on a giant mural opposite the town hall.

Sarah Lee, Promotions Officer for Pendle Borough Council, said: "It is a pioneering idea and will put local people in the picture as a celebration of Nelson's multi-cultural community.

"Anyone with a camera is welcome to take pictures which could be used for the mural and we hope to feature more than a hundred people."

Photographers must ensure that:

Their pictures are of people who live or work in Nelson.

People in the prints are willing to be featured on the mural

The photographer's name, phone number and address are on the back of each picture supplied.

Photographs should be sent to Sarah Lee, The Promotions Team, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, by March 22.

All will be returned once the team has selected the pictures which will be copied for the mural.

Pendle Council emplyee Uzma Afzaal, 21, of Hibson Road, will have her picture on the mural. She said: "I think it is a really good idea. If anywhere needs to be brightened, then it is Nelson."

Coun Waite, chairman of Nelson Area Committee which is helping to fund the mural, said: "I'm delighted that the council has got the go-ahead to do something original to improve this eye-sore before the site is developed.

"This mural be an attention-getter. Funding is coming from all different pots to help improve the image of the town. It will cost about £2,000 but that will be money well spent."