A 40-FOOT tall mural is set to be painted in Dunfermline.

The prominent gable end wall of The Ball Room at 25 Queen Anne Street could soon feature a large heritage piece celebrating the famous Scots poem, 'The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens'.

The design has been created by Dunfermline-born artist Jonny Hannah and will be funded by Dunfermline Delivers should Fife Council grant planning permission.

Ian Moir, director at Fire Station Creative, who submitted the application on behalf of The Ball Room, says the mural has been designed specifically for the vacant space.

He said: "Jonny is an outstanding artist with an international reputation. It'll be a privilege to see him return home again to share his talent with us.

"He has a unique, retro style which is entirely in keeping with our local architecture. In fact, the design for this mural has been tailored for the specific site.

"I think Dunfermline could always use more public art but we must be very careful. The important thing is to choose the artist wisely and consider the public appetite.

"The work of any artist under consideration should be aesthetically beautiful, classy and mindful of our heritage."

It is hoped that the 40-foot high by 20-foot wide piece, which will face onto the gap site near Dunfermline Bus Station and High Street, will be finished before the six-day Outwith Festival begins in September.

The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens was first published in 1765 and has several different versions.

The tale tells the story of the king of Scotland, living in Dunfermline, requiring the best sailor in the country to help fetch the daughter of the king of Norway.

It ends in tragedy with the fictional Sir Patrick Spens and crew onboard the vessel submerged in water off the coast of Aberdour.