Readers have been responding to a piece of street art which was recently installed in Carlisle, and has been declared one of the world’s best by a street art community.

The Tymon de Laat-designed painting of a girl from Laos, located on the side of the u-Student building on John Street, was voted the second-most popular piece in the world in magazine Street Art Cities’ September edition.

Ben Heslop from Blank Wall Assassins, the organisation behind the art, said: “Street Art Cities tracks art pieces all over the world; they currently have more than 35,000 pieces in 900 cities around the world logged in their website.

“Every month they ask their readers to put forward pieces they like the look of and, from there, the top 25 are selected and then put to a public vote.

"The poll is open to anyone in the world, but the people who take part are really into street art, so you receive votes from a wide range of people, not just loyal followers.

"Tymon has pieces installed all over the world so is a recognised artist.”

When asked how the decision for the artwork came around, Ben said: “We continue to keep working with business owners around the city.

"We received contact from u-Student who were keen to have something vibrant placed on the side of the then bare wall.

"We got in touch with Tymon, who spent five days in September painting the design.”

Readers shared some of their support.

Chris Glaister said: "It’s an absolutely stunning, striking piece of artwork, and brightens up a very gloomy part of Carlisle.

"I also love the Roman themed one on the side of the old Peter Tyson building."

Melanie Milne said: "I really like this art work and it definitely brightens up Caldewgate but I am struggling with some kind of relevance to the city.

"I just feel particularly so close to the castle and Dixon’s chimney points of history in the city it probably should be something more relevant.

"Not that everything has to be relevant but just my view, the good thing about art is that everyone can share different view points.

"It’s a really pretty painting and does make you think."

Jordan Stanger said: "As an artist myself that is amazing!

"I never saw it being there before maybe Carlisle should have more paintings around the city looking more vibrant."