The Friends of Abberd Brook have been given more than £6,000 to create a mosaic inspired by nature, to brighten up Calne’s Prince Charles Underpass.

The mosaic, to be completed by May, has been designed by John Bentley students and will be made by members of the public attending workshops at the Calne Heritage Centre.

It has been funded by £3,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, match-funded by Calne Town Council, the Calne Lions and Wiltshire Council.

The Friends of Abberd Brook was set up in 2010, to address concerns over the neglected state of the brook, pond and green spaces.

In 2011, the group unveiled a mosaic on the southern wall of the underpass, featuring colourful fish, butterflies and birds. The new mosaic, with patterns inspired by the geometry of flowers, will go on the opposite wall.

Friends chairman Francis Bosworth said the original mosaic took the underpass from being a no-go area to a place to be visited and is now featured on fitness walks.

He said: “The new mosaic will be really good. We walked down the other day and we saw this blank, grey wall. It will make the underpass look complete.

“We’ve found there are a number of benefits to getting people to own the areas they live in. I want people to love the place they’re in and to make an improvement.”

Workshops to produce the mosaic, led by artist Gill Reeves, are being held at the Heritage Centre on Mondays during February and March, from 2pm to 4.15pm.

People can also join in on March 1, 15 and 29, from 2pm to 4.15pm.

Michelle Waite, of Rookery Park, attended this week’s session with her children, Luke, ten, and Mille, five, who learned how to design a mosaic and cut ceramic tiles.

She said: “I think it’s great; it’s something for the children to do and it’s nice to put our mark on the town, because it will stay there for a long time.”

The Friends also want residents to join them on the first Saturday of each month, at 10am at the Coleman’s Farm Community Centre for tea, coffee and cakes.

For more information, call Francis Bosworth on (01249) 824722 or 07952 943179. Visit www.fabrook.org.uk or email fabcalne@hotmail.com.