A touching mural dedicated to the lives lost in the First World War has appeared on the side of a Thetford pub.

For four years graffiti has been painted on the side of the pub to commemorate major events, with this year, the centenary of the armistice and the end of the First World War, proving additionally poignant.

The artwork, on the wall of the Black Horse pub on Magdalen Street, shows Lord Kitchener, Winston Churchill and the lone soldier above a field of poppies.

Lee Stroble, 44, who has lived in Thetford for five years and works at the Skin Styles tattoo studio, is the artist behind the work.

Working through chilly October days and in his own free time, he creates beautiful murals covering the entire wall of the pub using stencils and freehand painting.

Eastern Daily Press: Thetford artist, Lee Strobal, working on his WW1 wall mural on the Black Horse Pub in ThetfordThetford artist, Lee Strobal, working on his WW1 wall mural on the Black Horse Pub in Thetford (Image: Archant)

Mr Stroble said: 'Every year we do a different piece. Because it is the centenary we wanted Kitchener in there, the lone soldier always seems to work and Churchill because he is such a part of British history.

'You have to pay homage to all the people and it has had fantastic feedback. People hear the word graffiti and they panic but it is nice to do something for the community and the town.'

He added: 'It is an honour to do it at the end of the day. I'm incredibly proud and I take pride in what I do because these guys laid their lives down for us. It's a cheesy thing to say but it is from the heart.

'Just even one person walking by and taking a photo, if I can stop one person just to get their attention, that's payment enough.

Eastern Daily Press: Thetford artist, Lee Strobal, next to his WW1 wall mural on the Black Horse Pub in ThetfordThetford artist, Lee Strobal, next to his WW1 wall mural on the Black Horse Pub in Thetford (Image: Archant)

'This is just a hobby, I just love art and this is my main passion.'

Terry Gillman, 50, owns the Black Horse pub with his wife Pam, 56, and says he is extremely proud to have the mural on the wall of his pub.

He said: 'I'm extremely proud. It has become a thing over the last few years, every year there is a new theme and Lee always comes up trumps with a fantastic piece every time.

'I just like to give something back. It is a very special year but we look upon it as being special every year. It's educating, kids don't know about it and it is all about educating people more than anything.'