YOUNGSTERS embraced their inner Banksy during a creative street art session.

Children transformed a plain wall at Megacentre in Rayleigh into a vibrant piece of graffiti art in a project run by Energised Art and funded by Sanctuary Housing.

Working together as a team, youngsters from Rayleigh and others from the Rochford Garden Way Estate, designed a colourful, artistic version of the word Respect.

Chris Silvey, Sanctuary Housing’s resident involvement officer for Rochford, said: “By investing in fascinating community-led youth projects like this, we can help our young residents work together to gain confidence, skills and realise their ambitions.”

Youth worker Lucy Ramsay said: “This project brought people together to not just teach them new skills and boost their confidence but also brighten up an ugly wall. The best thing was seeing volunteers taking part, who didn’t think they were artistic, work together to create something beautiful.”

Darcy Hamond, 11, added: “This project was amazing. I learned I can express myself in different ways. Before it was just a big grey wall but now it will put smiles on people’s faces.”