A Lisburn art and literature trail in honour of a world renowned local children's author is aiming to boost the city's tourism with murals taking shape this week.
The Sam McBratney project at a cost of £132k will aim to attract tourism to the city from the author's global following.
Bratney's award-winning books, illustrated with watercolours by Anita Jeram have been translated into multiple language formats with a massive following of his stories across the globe.
Read more: Sam McBratney tourism trail hoped to be major boost for Lisburn.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) rep Sharon Skillen ( DUP ) said: "This is another welcome step in recognising Sam McBratney who has made a huge contribution to children's lives.
"This will bring 'Guess How Much I Love You?' to life in Lisburn. I can't wait to bring my daughter to see the mural."
Bratney who was born in Belfast, moved to Lisburn as a very young child with his family and attended the local schools.
The late resident of the city, who passed away in 2020 has sold more than 50m copies of his children's book 'Guess How Much I Love You' worldwide, with expectations high of overseas visitors flocking to the new visitor experience.
A LCCC spokesperson said: "Haslem’s Lane in Lisburn is being transformed this week with beautiful interpretations from Lisburn author Sam McBratney’s much-loved children’s book 'Guess How Much I Love you', illustrated by Anita Jeram.
"Street artist, Dean Kane from Visual Waste is spray-painting a number of the book’s iconic images onto the Haslem’s Lane archways as part of our ‘Awakening the Gateways’ to Lisburn initiative, which is funded by the Department for Communities.
"The project aims to improve the sense of arrival and welcome for visitors to Lisburn city centre, while increasing a sense of civic pride for residents.
"An interactive family-friendly trail to celebrate the success of the 'Guess How Much I Love you' book will be launched in Lisburn city centre later this year. "
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