Restoration begins on historic pub mural

Scaffolding has been put up so work can begin restoring the flaking paintwork of the pub's mural

A restoration project has begun on a prominent mural on the side of a pub in Staffordshire.

The aim is to preserve the artwork, on the side of the Toby Carvery in Endon, for future generations according to the building's owner Mitchells and Butlers.

"It's a symbol of the community in which the people of Endon are very proud," a spokesperson told the BBC earlier this year.

The original mural was painted in the early 1900s when the building was used as a hotel.

It is hoped restoring the mural will mean it can be enjoyed for generations to come

Plans submitted as part of the project stated the mural had suffered salt contamination and moisture ingress which had led to its deterioration.

The site was formerly a hotel, but more recently has operated as a carvery restaurant.

The mural is painted on the front of the building and is visible to the thousands of passers-by who use the A53 between Stoke-on-Trent and Leek.

The mural was painted in the early 1900s when the building was used as a hotel

It depicts a rural setting – the meaning and significance of which are unknown, according to documents accompanying the pub firm's planning application.

The plans stated the mural was painted in the early 1900s by Endon-born artist Herbert Foster, whose collection of works are showcased in the Minton archives and various museums across the Midlands.

The mural at The Plough in Endon was painted by local artist Herbert Foster

The company said the work was being carried out by a specialist heritage contractor who would fix cracks in the paintwork and clean off debris which has accumulated on the surface of the artwork.