The ‘PIES’ graffiti on the M6 and the M57 has left motorists perplexed for years… here’s the story behind it

MANY motorists will have clocked some unusual graffiti saying "The Pies" on motorway bridges, but do you know the story behind the bizarre lettering?

The phrase "The Pies The Pies" inexplicably appeared on a Merseyside motorway bridge around 30 years ago.

3

And, before long, the markings started cropping up on other roads in the North West, baffling drivers and igniting cravings for the classic pastry product.

However, rather than being an homage to the humble foodstuff, the graffiti - sprayed on bridges over the M6 and the M57 - is the name of a band, daubed over the North West by its members and fans.

3

Formed 30 years ago, the original band split in 1993, before the group re-formed in 2000.

But the graffiti comes from the groups early days, when band members became stuck on a bridge over the M57 and daubed their group's name out of boredom.

3

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Ashley Martin told the BBC: "The M57 is the famous one, 'The Pies The Pies' was basically because we got stuck on the bridge and we didn't know what to do, so we wrote The Pies again.

"It stayed up over twenty years, and Alexei Sayle used to say the council would paint around it."

After becoming something of a sensation, other jokey Pies slogans began to emerge elsewhere, including "Vote Pies" and "Pies this is your time" on the M6.

Now, fans will be able to enjoy the groups' latest work of art - their album A Brief History of Pies.

READ NOW:

• Driving tests to include using sat-nav and reversing into parking bay