Youngsters have defended an arts project which has seen a derelict pub covered from top to bottom in photographs after council leaders branded it an eyesore.

A 20ft collage has been created on the side of the Commercial Hotel in Church by youngsters involved with Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre.

They have come up with a mix of new and old photographs as a tribute to mill workers that used to work in the area as part of a wider project to mark the 2012 Olympic games.

More than 20 local young people have worked on the project over a 20 year period.

But at a council meeting the project was criticised by the leader of the Conservative group, Coun Peter Britcliffe, who described it as the worst thing he had seen in years.

He said: "It really is awful. "The pub is just rotting. But more than that it’s dangerous and it looks blooming silly as well."

Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard told the meeti ng she had reported the building to the council mistakenly believing that someone had fly-posted on the site.

She added: "It needs to be put in the right exhibition space. It is a good project but it needs to be put in the right place."

But the young people involved in the project have said they are proud of the work they have done.

Permission was given to the group to use the pub by its owners, Chilten (Accrington) Ltd.

Jo-Anne Howarth, 19, said: "This project has given me the opportunity to learn about the history of area I live in and it’s culture in a hands-on way.

"Photography is a great way of self expression and I feel more projects like this should be available for young people to help keep their history and heritage alive."

Vanessa McCarney, 19, said: "I can express myself through my photography."

The scheme is part of a series of projects being funded by Lancashire Museum’s Cultural Olympiad project to mark the Olympic games.

Gayle Knight, creative director of the arts centre who organised it, said: "I personally think it has transformed an ugly derelict building into a fantastic piece of art while giving some young people the opportunity to take part in great project that could get showcased next year at the Olympics."