Lyrics from the Undertones iconic track Teenage Kicks are set to return to a Belfast flyover -a year after being controversially painted over. Brendan Hughes reports

A MURAL of lyrics from celebrated song Teenage Kicks that was controversially removed a year ago is set to be re-created as part of a £6,000 community project.

The graffiti on a flyover in east Belfast showing lyrics from The Undertones track was painted over last year by the Department for Social Development (DSD).

Its removal sparked outrage in the community and among music fans.

Many also highlighted how the graffiti was painted over while contentious murals and sectarian graffiti across the city remain untouched.

But now a year on from the public backlash, plans are under way to create new artwork on the Bridge End flyover as part of a cross-community scheme.

It is understood proposals for the site are similar to the original graffiti, containing the same lyrics 'teenage dreams so hard to beat'.

A second mural is also planned for the other side of the flyover with the proposed design using the words 'Take Back the City' - the name of a hit Snow Patrol song.

The project is estimated to cost £5,950 of DSD funding including artist fees and community consultation materials such as flyers circulated to local households.

It is expected that the new murals will be painted in the autumn.

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, who has been involved the efforts, said he hoped the proposals would help promote regeneration.

"The significant objection that we saw to the removal of the original artwork shows the public support for a positive message for youth in the area," the East Belfast MLA said.

"It has been positive that we have been working with local young people's groups in the area to make proposals for a new modern expression and reflection of musical talent in the area.

"I hope that by working with youth groups, the wider public and the East Belfast Partnership we will be able to bring forward proposals that the public will find positive and will regenerate that area of east Belfast."

The lyrics 'teenage dreams so hard to beat' appeared on the Bridge End flyover in 2004, the day after the death of John Peel.

The popular BBC Radio 1 DJ helped the hit single rise to prominence in 1978 after playing the song twice in a row on his show.

Peel had described the Derry band's song as his favourite and requested lyrics to be put on his headstone.

But in June last year the 'teenage dreams' graffiti by east Belfast's TDS Graffiti Crew was painted over.

Terri Hooley, the founder of Good Vibrations record shop and the man behind the recording of Teenage Kicks, at the time described the DSD as "pathetic".

The DSD received dozens of complaints and a social media campaign against the decision attracted more than 7,000 supporters.

The department at the time said the graffiti was erased during a £300,000 improvement scheme in the area and its removal was agreed with "all statutory and community groups".

Following the public outcry a steering group involving elected representatives, youth groups and community artists met to discuss a new art project for the site.

Documents said the art project would involve young people working with artists to design and install "music inspired murals on both sides of the flyover".

Under the scheme the proposals were to be presented to the communities in both the Short Strand and Lower Newtownards Road areas as part of a consultation process.

A DSD spokeswoman said: "The department has recently completed an economic appraisal for this project which has been approved subject to further information being provided by the Ballymac Friendship Trust and the Short Strand Community Forum detailing how this work will be taken forward."

* HARD TO BEAT: Graffiti on a flyover in east Belfast showing lyrics from The Undertones song Teenage Kicks was painted out last year. The song recorded by the Derry band, inset right, was championed by the late BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and the graffiti first appeared in 2004, the day after he died

* PROPOSAL: The wall in east Belfast where a mural, featuring a line from the cult classic song Teenage Kicks by The Undertones was until it was painted over as part of an urban regeneration scheme. Inset, from left, East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle and the Good Vibration record label founder Terri Hooley