A graffiti artist is busy at work completing a portrait that will brighten up an ‘eyesore’ in Walthamstow.

Julian Phethean, known as Mr Cenz, is finishing off a mural of a woman's face on the side of the Hurricane Room pool club in Forest Road, as part of the Wood Street Walls project.

The project organsers claim public spaces are the modern canvas for street artists and graffiti can increase custom for businesses, keeping them in operation for longer.

It is the artist’s first piece in Waltham Forest having completed works all over London.

Mr Cenz told the Guardian he is not worried about Waltham Forest council removing the piece.

He said: “All the locals have come up to me to say they love it.

“I just work from fashion portraits and then freestyle. I’m not doing it to get paid just for the love of doing it.

“The building was a bit of an eyesore so the pool club guys love it too.  Hopefully it will get some more people in.”

The piece is expected to be completed by the weekend.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The half-finished piece on Forest Road.