A MERSEYSIDE artist has painted a mural ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Since creating the much photographed “For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds” aka “The Wings”, Paul Curtis has produced more than 200 pieces of public art many of which can be spotted across Wirral.

Paul’s latest piece is situated on an outside wall of St Mark’s primary school in Halewood, Liverpool and features ex-pupil and world champion heptathlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Paralympics GB table tennis medallist, Jack Hunter-Spivey.

The mural entitled, “Achieve Your Potential”, was designed by Paul in response to a commission from British Gas, who’ve just announced a five year partnership with the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association.

Paul said: “I hope it will remind future generations to work towards their dreams. “The fact that part of this project is also looking at how we can all try to live in a more sustainable way is also something close to my heart and something I want to tackle more”.

To kickstart the partnership, the schools programme called Get Set for Positive Energy will aim to reach up to one million children and families across the UK. With a requirement for schools to have a climate action plan in place by 2025 the programme will support teachers in providing a range of free learning resources, that can easily be adopted as part of a wider green educational plan.

To launch the partnership, Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Paralympian Jack Hunter-Spivey, surprised pupils at Katarina’s former primary school in Liverpool, St Mark’s Catholic School. The Liverpudlian athletes unveiled Paul’s mural as a visual reminder to the pupils about the contribution they can make in driving positive change and building a healthier, more sustainable future.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, world champion heptathlete, said: “To be involved in Get Set for Positive Energy and return to my old school to help inspire the next generation is such an honour. The programme enables kids from across the UK to learn more about how we can be more energy efficient, which is naturally essential for a greener future, so I’m delighted to help play a small part by launching the partnership at my primary school, St Mark's.”