Oswestry bus doubles up as moving work of art

Shop assistant Sarah Lacon has turned the bus from a blank canvas into a colourful masterpiece featuring local landmarks such as St Oswald's Tree and Whittington Castle. The 27-year-old is a former Glyndwr University student from Weston Rhyn.

She was selected to work her magic on the bus after winning a competition by bus operators Arriva.

The company called on people to showcase their talent by redesigning a bus from top to bottom.

Based on the theme of local history and culture, key elements of Sarah's eye-catching design also include Wroxeter Roman City, flowers to represent Shrewsbury Flower Show and Shropshire's Coat of Arms.

Sarah said: "I was delighted to be invited by Arriva to treat one their buses effectively like a blank canvas. Living on the borderlands and having an interest in local history, it was easy to find inspiration from the local area.

"As a regular bus user, I wanted to make my design as relevant to the passengers that would be boarding it as possible, which is why the key features of my design include St Oswald's tree from which Oswestry reputedly took its name, and local landmarks such as Whittington Castle."

Keith Myatt, marketing and communications manager for Arriva, said: "We are delighted with the finished design and hope plenty of passengers enjoy our 'art bus' as much as we do."

The new-look bus will operate along the 405 route from Sainsbury's Victoria Road to Sainsbury's Brady Bar, Sainsbury's Victoria Road to Woodside School and from Marches School in Oswestry to Sainsbury's Victoria Road.

Bus users who spot the art bus are being encouraged to take a photo and sent it to photo@arriva.co.uk along with their full name, address and contact number.

Those chosen as having taken the best shots will each receive a Midlands four-weekly saver pass.