Charred remains of Grenfell Tower could be covered with artwork made by local schoolchildren

The complex operation to begin wrapping the tower block is due to begin imminently, which will prevent dust and ash being blown onto surrounding areas.

And officials are now considering proposals to project different artwork onto the wrapping each night.

Primary school children who live near the building and those who lost loved ones in the horrific blaze have been asked to design artwork that will "help them look up and smile".

The wrapping will be placed around scaffolding, which will be erected floor-by-floor and will allow a lift to be installed in the building to help with recovering items.

The site manager Michael Lockwood, who was drafted in from Harrow Council to help with the project, said they decided to cover the building because it is "distressing" for residents.

He told The Sunday Times: "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."

The plans to project images onto it were made after a meeting between Mr Lockwood and local schoolchildren.

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

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

"It would be nice to see something that they can smile at," he said, adding that all residents will be consulted on the plans.

After the contents of each floor have been thoroughly checked and removed, police will be able to take the cladding for the on-going investigation into the fire which left an estimated 80 people dead.

The tower is then expected to be demolished sometime next year.