Rik Mayall's trademark maniacal grin now looks down on visitors to his home town – after a vast mural was painted there by a Norfolk artist.

Eastern Daily Press: David Nash with the Hollywood cinema Alan Partridge artwork he did for the film premier.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.David Nash with the Hollywood cinema Alan Partridge artwork he did for the film premier.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

David Nash, 40, from Loddon, suggested the idea to Harlow council, which found a suitable space for the six metre high portrait of the late comedian, on the Essex town's playhouse.

It is the latest large-scale mural by Mr Nash, who has a growing reputation for such works, across the country.

He was behind the vast portrait of fictional Norfolk DJ Alan Partridge, which was painted on the wall of the Hollywood cinema in Anglia Square ahead of the world premiere of the Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa film in the city last July.

And he was also responsible for a mural based on the Ricky Gervais TV series, Derek, which he spray painted in New Botolph Street in Norwich. In addition, he painted the Immortals gym, off Grapes Hill in the city.

Mr Nash, who moved to Loddon last year with his wife in order to bring up their son in the countryside, said that most of his work was outside the county.

'All my work at the moment is in London, Essex or Birmingham, so I would like more work in the Norwich area,' he added.

He decided to pay tribute to Mayall, who died, aged 56, in June, after he found out that he shared his home town of Harlow with the star.

Mr Nash, who paints under the tag Gnasher, said: 'I grew up watching Rik Mayall in The Young Ones and Bottom. It blew my mind when I found out he was from Harlow too, and I wanted to remember his life in some way in the town.'

Although, Mayall was born in Harlow, he was raised in Worcestershire and studied drama at Manchester University.

Do you have a story about a Norfolk artist? Email newsdesk@archant.co.uk