A COMMUNITY art project which transformed Musselburgh for Riding of the Marches is to continue after a cash boost from the town’s Common Good Fund.

Bridges, buildings, boats, trees, fences and benches in the local area were decorated by a group of ‘yarn bombers’ under the slogan Making Musselburgh Marvellous.

As the ancient boundary-marking ceremony came closer, more artworks – including flowers, bees, butterflies, a knitted mermaid and seagulls – appeared across Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig.

Gaynor Allen, one of the group’s organisers, said: “We started off on a small scale with the aim of putting a smile on people’s faces but more people and groups got involved. It has had an amazing impact on the town.

“The beauty of it is that everyone can get involved. It has grown arms and legs and we have been overwhelmed by the huge amount of interest shown by our community. We started to get people excited about the Riding of the Marches, but decided we couldn’t stop as we had so much support and the group were having such a good time.”

The yarn bombing took place alongside other major public art installations, including a Riding of the Marches horse parade, which saw 14 horses and foals decorated by schoolchildren appear across the town for the week of celebrations at the end of July.

There was also a Guinness World Record attempt when schoolchildren and youth groups helped to create the biggest-ever felted stone installation by making a horse at Fisherrow Links - and murals painted around the town.

The success of the project led organisers to continue regular weekly meetings of crafters after Riding of the Marches, with plans to create further public art installations for Remembrance Sunday.

Alistair Knowles, chairman of Riding of the Marches 2016, said: “The yarn bombers have done an amazing job and created a brilliant buzz around the town. It was great to see it popping up in different and unexpected places.”

“Everyone’s spirits have been lifted by it and it provided a brilliant backdrop to the Riding of the Marches. I’m delighted that it can continue, keep putting a smile on people’s faces and continue to make Musselburgh marvellous.”

The £1,000 grant will allow volunteers to buy materials to create new art, as previously they have relied on donations of wool and fabric, and volunteers spending their own money.

Councillor John Williamson, a member of the committee which approved the grant, said: “This has been a community movement that has made an enormous impact on the town in a special year for Musselburgh. I look forward to seeing even more wonderful art appearing.”