HAVING builders on site has not stopped The Story Museum from telling a tale, and a comic artist has worked his magic on the building hoardings.

Oxford comic artist Neill Cameron has created a giant comic strip which gives visitors a sneak preview of what the new museum extension will look like when it opens next year.

Ten new spaces are being built including a Whispering Wood, Enchanted Library and Treasure Chamber, all of which are featured in Mr Cameron’s comic strip.

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Measuring more than ten metres in length, the comic strip promises the transformed museum on Pembroke Street will be 'bigger and stranger and more brilliant than ever, with amazing surprises behind every door'.

It tells the story of a young visitor who explores the museum and has to fend off a fearsome crew of pirates with the help of a fire-breathing dragon.

Mr Cameron said: “I’m really honoured to be part of The Story Museum’s next chapter, and to get to try and tell that story in such a fun way. We want people to feel involved in what’s happening and excited about the changes, so it was really fun to try and communicate that in a way that visitors of all ages will be able to understand and get on board with.”

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The illustrator and writer, who works as an artist-in-residence at the museum, will also curate a series of comic events for all ages running throughout the year.

He created comic books such as Mega Robo Bros which was chosen as one of the best children's comics of the year by the New York Public Library.

The £6m redevelopment project which will create new gallery and activity spaces at The Story Museum comes after the generous support of National Lottery funding from both Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as funding from a range of other Trusts, Foundations and individuals.

Hadley Swain, the area director of the South East at Arts Council England, said: “Neill Cameron’s giant comic strip is a wonderfully creative way for The Story Museum to give passers-by a glimpse of what’s to come when it re-opens. It is a brilliant example of how creativity can transform the mundane into something special that everyone can enjoy.”

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The museum launched a ‘1001 Stories Quest’, a public appeal to raise £300,000 towards the final stages of the £6m building project which started in November last year.

People can join the Quest at three levels: by becoming a Founding Fellow by donating £1001, a Story Collector by donating £100.10 or a Story Seeker by donating £10.01.

The Story Museum is a registered charity with a vision to enrich lives, particularly young lives, through story.

It opened to the public in 2014.