Ryhope's history mural

The gable end mural overlooks the Ryhope Miners' Memorial Garden in Ryhope Street.

The mural, painted by local artist Mark One87 and assistant artist Finn Kelly, illustrates different stages and events in Ryhope's history. It shows the farming communities which shaped the landscape before the colliery was established in 1857 and then closed in 1966, plus hospital workers, miners' lodge and colliery bands, and a miners' lamp.

Flying above is a Second World War RAF Halifax bomber and the face of its pilot Cyril Barton.

In March 1944 after a night raid on the German city of Nuremberg he nursed his damaged plane back over the North Sea. As fuel ran out and his plane descended he steered away from houses and Ryhope pit as it crash-landed.

Barton was pulled alive from the plane's wreckage but died of his injuries before reaching hospital. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross and his name is also commemorated with the Barton estate and Halifax Place.

Measuring more than 25 metres (more than 90ft) long and 10 metres (more than 30ft) tall, the mural was painted this summer over two weeks in August.

It was celebrated with a special event at Ryhope Community Centre with residents and school children hearing more about the mural from Mark, a film about Ryhope and a talk from the Ryhope Heritage Society.

Chair of the east committee and Ryhope councillor Martyn Herron said: "We're all very proud of our history and heritage and we now have this fittingly commemorated on our mural.

"It's an excellent reminder of who and what has helped shape our village. We're very grateful for all the feedback and comments we received about what should go on the mural and pleased that we could celebrate it with this event at the community centre. Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this work and enjoyed the celebration."

Mark, who has completed other murals at the Tyne Tunnels, Mr Mulligans and Geordie Shore, said: "It has been a great project to work on and I am very grateful for the opportunity to create something to showcase the heritage of Ryhope."

The mural was initially base coated with brightly coloured masonry paint with the design then applied with high quality spray paints.

Commissioned by the council's East Area committee, it is one of five city area committees alongside Coalfield, North, Washington and West. It helps oversee community projects in the Doxford, Hendon, Millfield, Ryhope and St Michael's electoral wards.

Other Sunderland wall murals include riverside and shipbuilding scenes at Panns Bank, close to Wearmouth Bridge, and Sunderland AFC legend Raich Carter on a gable end in Commercial Road,