A GENEROUS benefactor has donated £1,000 to build the new graffiti wall in Ringwood.

The wall, which stands on Carvers Field, was opened on Friday (March 8) after teenager Robert Moody campaigned for a space for his art.

The anonymous benefactor, a Forest businessman said: “Everyone moans about young people and the activities they get up to. We were all young once and I think this initiative by the young people themselves deserves support.

“I am delighted to be able to sponsor the wall and hope that the young people get many hours of enjoyment from its use.”

Robert Moody, 18, approached Ringwood Town Council last year to provide the wall so young people can practice their spray art without getting into trouble.

He said: “I would like a legal street art or graffiti wall in the town so young people can use it and respect it. I hope to work closely with the school and Ringwood Police.”

Members of the council were open to building a timber- framed wall between the skate park and the tennis court at Carvers Field, but did not have the funds to do it.

When the benefactor stepped forward with the cash, members were delighted.

Ringwood Town Council clerk Terry Simpson said: “When the offer was reported to members they were delighted, they knew there was a need to try and channel graffiti into one place.

“As we have not got the funding to allocate to it they were really delighted when the sponsor came forward to do that.”

Members of the council hope the wall will mean graffiti on walls and garages around the town will cease.

Mr Simpson added: “The condition is that the graffiti art will be controlled by the young people and will not contain offensive drawings or words. If either appear the town council reserves the right to paint over the offending material or remove the wall altogether.”