Blackened facade of Grenfell Tower could become a huge canvas for children's drawings

Looming hulk is inescapable reminder of awful tragedy

(Getty)

The blackened shell of Grenfell Tower could soon become a sky-high canvas for the drawings of children, as officials begin to consider the building's future.

It is expected work to put a protective wrap around the site of the country's most costly tragedy in a generation will begin from this month ahead of its eventual demolition.

Officials are said to be considering covering the entire 24-storey structure with a screen, on to which paintings by children from nearby will be projected nightly.

The Sunday Times reported that primary school children who live in the west London neighbourhood were asked to make art that would "help them look up and smile".

Michael Lockwood, manager of the site, told the paper the idea came from a recent meeting he had with pupils.

He said: "Many of them said it was upsetting looking up at the tower when they have lost friends in the fire.

"So I asked them if they would like to come up with paintings of what they would like to see on the building instead."

Scaffolding will be erected, encased by netting, around the building during an operation expected to last until the end of the year.

This will allow officers involved in the intricate recovery process to pass debris piled in the gutted flats down to ground level more easily, according to the paper.

Residents will reportedly be consulted on the colour of the screen.

Twelve of the flats are said to be still in "perfect condition" despite the fire, in which at least 80 people died, raging for more than a day.

The arrival of scaffolding also provides an opportunity for the cladding credited with aiding the inferno's spread to be stripped from the building's exterior.

Mr Lockwood said: "We considered if this might look like the tragedy is being hidden, but people said 'We want it covered because it's so distressing'.

"It's what the community wants."

Grenfell Tower is likely to be demolished by the end of 2018, Mr Lockwood previously indicated, after the police have finished removing all evidence which could assist their investigation.

Press Association