A SERIES of murals have been created at the State Cinema in Grays, transforming the hoardings around the GradeII-listed landmark.

The art deco–inspired street art celebrates the building's extraordinary cultural heritage.

Young people from Arts Outburst's Urban Motion programme are working alongside street artist Scotty Irving from Brave Arts to create a visual narrative reflecting the States cinematic history,

The artwork has been commissioned by the building's owner, Naveed Ahmad

The State Cinema was opened in 1938. It remains one of the UK's finest surviving Art Deco 'super cinemas', known for its original interiors and its iconic Compton Organ.

As well as showing decades of films, the cinema also starred in major productions, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Jamiroquai's Deeper Underground video, Chicago Joe and the Showgirl, Jericho and Lipstick on Your Collar.

In October Thurrock Nub news reported on a meeting held by Mr Ahmad with invited guests and campaigners outide the cinema.

He spoke about plans to develop the site as a hotel and function centre and said a planning application would be submitted to Thurrock Council within a couple of weeks.

However, the council's planning portal shows no application at the moment, leaving campaigners concerned about the building's future asking if the hoardings are just another way of deflecting criticism of the developer's inaction.