A project that brought a community together to celebrate their 50th anniversary will not come unstuck because of the weather, residents have vowed.

A mosaic on the wall of Blackbird Leys Community Centre was a labour of love for more than 70 residents in 2007 after it took three months to create.

But in February, after four years of harsh winters, the weather-beaten mosaic had to be brought down and has been kept inside ever since.

Now residents are taking part in special workshops to restore it to its former glory.

Community centre officer Paula Williams said: “The weather hasn’t been kind to it. On previous occassions we could repair it while it was on the wall, but this time it was a major job so it had to come down.

“We’ve now pencilled in six weeks of workshops for people to begin working on it again.”

The original mosaic was funded by the Leys Learning Community but Oxford City Council is now funding the repairs.

The design featured 50 panels, picturing a hot air balloon against blue skies, with blackbirds and red kites flying around it.

A banner showed the date the estate was founded, 1957, and the date of the 50th anniversary.

Ms Williams said: “This was a real community effort, it was a labour of love. Anyone can come and help repair it, from people who were involved last time to any new faces who are interested.

“How long it will take to finish will depend on how much damage there is and how many people get involved.”

Getting stuck in at Friday’s workshop was 43-year-old Tessa Croysdale. She helped make the mosaic the first time round.

She said: “It’s so important to get the mosaic back up. It was part of the 50th anniversary and lots of people were involved.

“It was absolutely stunning when it first went up, so hopefully we can get it back to its former glory.”

Also taking part was Clare Goodall from Headington. She said: “It’s desperately important to get it up, it’s such a postive thing.

“A lot of people have said how much they miss it.”

The mosaic may now hang in the community hall to avoid future weather damage.

The workshops will be running on Fridays from 9.30am until 12pm. To take part, call Ms Williams on 01865 402070.