A CONTROVERSIAL mural on a Torfaen street had to be taken down - after a storm of protests from local businesses.

Shop owners on Commercial Street in Pontypool branded the mural painted by children during the town's Jubilee Festival and mounted on eyesore boarded-up shops as unsuitable.

The colourful creation was brought in to brighten the street.

But instead traders said they did not like the design - and now an artist has been drafted in to make changes to the mural.

The work was taken down for the alterations to be completed - but it will be remounted in the near future.

Cardiff-based artist David Symons, pictured, was commissioned by Torfaen arts development officer Christine Willison to come up with some designs, with the help of local children.

The youngsters' efforts were put in place just over three weeks ago - but they were immediately met with hostility from businesses in the street who were unhappy with the design.

Bread of Heaven cafe owner Mark Gregory, who sits on the town's regeneration partnership committee, felt more time and thought should have been invested in the idea.

He said at the time: "Something is not always better than nothing. This would be unheard of in any other town centre - you wouldn't see it in Cwmbran - so why here?"

A council spokesman confirmed work was under way to make improvements to the mural.