A dramatic mural on the wall of a Pembrokeshire arts organisation’s building has staged a big publicity boost for the group.

As the Western Telegraph reported in September, Pembrokeshire County Council told Span Arts in Narberth that they would need official permission for the artwork because it constituted advertising.

Over 200 people signed an online petition backing the mural, with support also coming from local businesses and MP Simon Hart, who described the new look of the building on the Town Moor as ’brilliant’.

Span Arts has now been told that the striking painting can stay, after retrospective permission was granted by the county council.

“We’re very happy with the outcome,” said Span Arts manager, Gwen Watson.

“The support of the public was overwhelming, and everyone agreed with us that it brightened up a dull-looking part of Narberth.

“The mural controvery was the most popular subject we have ever aired on Facebook and Twitter, and it reached 68,000 people.

“We were also on the ITV and S4C news, as well as making the pages of the Daily Mirror!

“The publicity has been brilliant, and has certainly translated into more people coming into our building to see what events we are putting on.”

The mural was painted in the summer by professional graffiti artists, Peaceful Progress, and features an image from Bianco, a performance from No Fit State Circus, which was brought to Narberth by Span Arts, Theatr Mwldan and the Torch Theatre last year.