A GIANT mural which captured the hopes and aspirations of children for the future of Tranent has been nominated for a prestigious planning award.

The StreetsAhead Tranent mural was designed by pupils from primary schools in the Fa’side area over a series of sessions with professional artists as part of a community project last year.

And it has been named as a finalist in the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.

The mural captured the young people’s interpretation of the town’s heritage and past, its current position and how they would like to see Tranent develop in the future.

The project was led by the Children’s Parliament and supported by Historic Scotland, Festival of Architecture 2016, Heritage Lottery Fund and Tranent Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.

Children from Elphinstone, Windygoul, St Martin’s RC, Ormiston and Sanderson’s Wynd Primaries took part in workshops to create ideas for the mural, with a small group chosen to work with artists in creating the finished piece.

Following its completion it was taken on tour, even making its way to Geneva and the United Nations, where youngsters involved in creating it were invited to present their vision on a world stage.

The mural visited schools and railway stations across Scotland accompanied by the children, who explained their ideas to politicians and members of the public.

On its return to Tranent it was placed at Ross High School, where it has become a permanent public piece of art.

News of the nomination was welcomed by Sharon Saunders, East Lothian Council’s head of communities and partnerships.

She said: “This nomination is fantastic news.

“We are really pleased to be continuing our exciting programme of work with the Children’s Parliament and building on the huge success of the original StreetsAhead Tranent project, especially as it links closely with the strong focus on children’s rights across East Lothian Council.”

Donald Grant, chairman of Fa’side Area Partnership, said: “StreetsAhead Tranent explored children’s views and experiences of their local community and built environment. The children reported having a greater understanding of children’s rights and how they link to their experiences in their community, a greater appreciation for the local history of the area and a sense that their views and ideas are listened to and taken seriously.

“It was a fantastic project which brought together our children, young people and the wider community to celebrate our past, present and share our hopes for the future of Tranent.

“Fa’side Area Partnership are immensely proud of our children and the role they took in raising awareness of the value of embedding children’s rights in our community planning and council wide service structures. It was amazing to see the impact the project had both at a local and global level.

“We wish the children and project team all the very best in the judging.”

The awards ceremony takes place later this year and the event is organised by the Scottish Government.

Public votes are open until September at doodle.com/poll/ck85rip74khh7gpf