Newbury women decorate children’s ward

Layla Blacker and Helen Layton were commissioned to paint 11 murals for the new Royal Berkshire Hospital ward

TWO Newbury woman were recently invited along to the official opening of the Royal Berkshire Hospital's children's accident and emergency department after painting 11 of the murals in it.

Artist, Layla Blacker, and production operator for the Newbury Weekly News, Helen Layton, spent three months on a part time basis finishing the murals which they were asked to base around the theme of the sea and the beach.

Their paintings included a shipwreck, donkeys, a mermaid and an underwater diver.

Mrs Layton said: "It was quite an honour to be asked to paint something quite important - it makes a difference to the children.

"It's quite exciting to have your work on display.

"A&E can be quite a threatening place and sometimes not very pleasant - this takes that away."

Following their work, the pair have now been commissioned to paint another five murals in other wards at the Reading hospital.

For more pictures of the opening of the ward, click on the link below.