A new mural paying homage to local celebrities has been unveiled at Thornton Heath station.

Crystal Palace Football Club’s mascot, Kayla the Eagle, and Grangewood Park’s famous white squirrel take centre stage in the artwork, made up of four wall panels.

The project, led by Thornton Heath Community Action Team (THCAT) working in partnership with Southern staff and Network Rail, is one of several additions to the station designed to make people "feel welcome and generate a sense of community."

Thornton Heath station manager Ade Akinniyi said: “It’s quite an impressive mural, focusing on the community and local identity.

"It’s brightened up an area of the station and given it a very new look. Lots of people have been stopping to take photos of it.”

This Is Local London: Southern’s Ade Akinniyi and Network Rail’s Eddie Burton at the unveiling of the new mural at Thornton Heath station

Previous projects include the introduction of a book exchange in the waiting room, hanging baskets to brighten the frontage and even the installation of a piano.

THCAT chair Linda Watson said: “THCAT is a large and diverse group of local volunteers who have been taking action to improve our area. Members have carried out a range of activities, with help from station staff, to make our station more welcoming.”

THCAT member, Averil Coutinho, spotted the opportunity for a station mural and took on preparation for the project. Committee member and designer, Van Dang, then volunteered to design it.

Averil said: “Having moved to Thornton Heath from the East Midlands in July 2017, I was immediately struck by the community spirit and number of mini projects undertaken collectively to help improve our living experience.

"Our station provides excellent links into central London and beyond and I thought perhaps a splash of colour would be a talking point and prompt conversations whilst commuters awaited their trains.

“I can’t thank Network Rail’s Eddie Burton enough for funding the mural and helping us find the perfect position.”