A property developer has agreed to showcase a tiled mural of England footballers near Wembley Stadium following a campaign led by a local historian.

Quintain, after conversations with Brent Council, said it would leave the mural, located on the underpass at Bobby Moore Bridge on the approach to Wembley, uncovered until at least August 2024.

This was despite the council insisting the company had the legal right to cover the display with adverts during the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament.

Philip Grant, of Wembley History Society, consistently contested this view and argued that, in any case, it would be disappointing to see the mural – showing England footballers in front of the old Wembley's iconic 'twin towers' – covered when fans attend the stadium over the next two months.

Mr Grant wrote to Brent Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt (Lab, Tokyngton) and Cllr Neil Nerva (Lab, Queens Park), who is responsible for public health, culture, and leisure at Brent Council, urging them to speak with officers about this issue.

He also contacted the council's legal director, Debra Norman, and its chief executive, Carolyn Downs, to outline his position.

Ms Downs confirmed Quintain intends to keep the mural on view for the remainder of their lease on advertising along the underpass.

She said both the council and Quintain "value the mural very much", which is why they have kept it on display for "a considerable period of time".

Responding to the news, Mr Grant said: "I am pleased that is now guaranteed that the heritage mural will remain on permanent public display.

"This should never have been in doubt, and it should not have taken months of dispute with council officers, and a great effort by the local community, to confirm what we had been promised in 2019.

"I am grateful to Brent's chief executive and council leader for their help in finally sorting this out."

Euro 2020 – delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic – starts tomorrow (Friday, June 11).

Wembley is set to host eight games during the tournament, including all three of England's group games, both semi-finals and the final.