A residential street which has been coated in fluorescent pink paint for a publicity stunt, was opened officially today - despite the best efforts of the weather to spoil it.

Ash Street, in Salford, Greater Manchester, has been transformed by toy company Mattel into Pink Street to celebrate Barbie's Pink Month.

However, preparations had to go on until the last minute after rain washed off paint from the roof tiles and tarmac.

Mr Ben Jones, the ''urban artist'' drafted in by Mattel, had a sleepless 48 hours as a special pink carpet had to be laid in the road and teams of painters hurriedly re-sprayed the roofs.

The overall effect is still eye-watering as the street's 30 houses all glow with the lurid colour scheme plastered over everything in sight, from lampposts to window frames.

The residents agreed to the scheme in return for a total of #10,000 in donations of cash and toys to local groups.

The lurid colour scheme will stay in place - weather permitting - for one month.