It's the street art that has got everyone talking in Hitchin - but who is the mystery woman in the iconic graffiti.

We're taking about the brilliant new artwork in Hitchin Market that has been created by the legendary Mr Meana.

The hugely successful spray art mural expert spent a few days creating the outstanding graffiti in the centre of Hitchin last week.

Included in his colourful homage to Hitchin were hedgehogs to represent our town's popular rugby club. Canaries, to symbolise Mark Burke's Top Field football team.

Mr Meana also features other iconic figures, including The Queen Mother - who was born at nearby Bowes Lion House, the clock in market square, much-loved Alan Myatt, who was town crier for many years, as well as references to Hitchin Lavender, the old cab rank, and, of course, St Mary's Church.

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But who is the woman?

In a straw poll of passers-by when Nub News visited the site, no-one was sure.

Hitchin resident Phaedra Shillingford Furphy told us in front of the mural: "It's been a real talking point as to who the woman is. Most people can work out all the other faces and references, but no-one is sure about who the woman is."

The answer can be found in our Up Close interview feature with Mr Meana below:

Up Close Legendary Hitchin artist Mr Meana: Street Art is like a modern-day statue - it's a sign of respect

Or, as we're nice here at Nub News, we'll reproduce Mr Meana's quote from our Q&A feature, explaining who the women is (below)

Question - HNN: In terms of this particular piece of street art that you're currently creating, talk us through some of the familiar faces and characters that will be well-known to people that live here

Answer - Mr Meana: Yes, so you've got Alan Myatt [Hitchin's much-missed long-time town crier]. Funnily enough I used to work the door at Wetherspoons [in Sun Street] and I used to see old Alan totter around at closing! I saw him wobble out of there a few times – so if you paint him on the wall then it's quite an enjoyable thing to do to commemorate such a wonderful character.  

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You've also got the Queen Mother [who was born in nearby Bowes Lion House]. You've got the Canary that represents Hitchin Town FC. You've also got a hedgehog for Hitchin Rugby Club. That's going up. There's a woman in the middle just having a look around then you've got the old cab rank to represent back in the day when there were horses and carts in the market square. There's a girl picking lavender and then of course you've got [St Mary's] church at the end – which is obviously one of the most iconic views of Hitchin.

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