The youth centre, in Redmile Walk, was identified as an ideal site for a legal graffiti wall as part of ongoing initiatives to cut levels of anti-social behaviour and illegal graffiti in the area.

The decision to introduce a legal wall came during a week of action in Welland in March, when youngsters across the area were invited to go along and take part in a graffiti project.

Reformed graffiti artist Nathan Murdoch, who has been campaigning for a graffiti wall in the city, then contacted the Greater Dogsthorpe Partnership (GDP), which, along with members of the recently formed Neighbourhood Action Group, recognised a need to provide somewhere for youngsters to call their own without the fear of getting into trouble.

The youth centre, also known as the Blue Mobile, a temporary building which serves as a popular hub for young people, has seen dozens of people daubing their creative works on the back wall of the centre, since special boards were put up by the GDP, which manages the site, last month.

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Nathan said: "After hearing of the boards being placed upon the mobile I had to assemble a crew and test the water.

"We had a great response and audiences from the local children, with the occasional adult passing through.

"I, as well as my friends, would like to say a massive thank-you to everyone, as its a great wall, in a great position, facing nobody, next to a skate park and basketball court. It's within its element."

Senior street scene officer for Peterborough City Council Mark Horsley said after working alongside the Police Community Safety Team, they consulted with many young people and recognised the need to provide a legal wall.

He said: "It's not all about enforcement. A pro-active approach to the problem of graffiti must be established in order to make real progress.

"Managed correctly, graffiti sites can be hugely successful, not only in reducing incidents of criminal damage, but also in breaking down barriers in the community and engaging with young people.

"I'm delighted that the Blue Mobile has been identified as a legal site."

The new legal wall comes just two months after the two 8ft by 4ft boards were put up between Stagsden and Mandeville, in Orton Goldhay, in a bid to allow artists there to express themselves freely.

The boards were funded using money from Peterborough City Council's Community Leadership Fund, after ward councillors decided to spend part of their £10,000 allocation on them.

Within days, one of the boards was ripped down by vandals and blasted an eyesore and a waste of tax-payers' money.

Despite the initial setback and concerns, the boards are now fully open again and used regularly by the area's youngsters.