Driven by design in Bognor Regis

Dozens of residents aged from four to 70-plus took part in a big design day to fill three large hoardings along the A29.

They created a wide range of images to be considered for the large spaces in front of the former Lec technical building. The result of their efforts is set to be put up in July.

Among those who hope their efforts will be included in the final artwork is Samantha Tweedy, 35, of Bedford Avenue, Bognor.

She went along to the design day with her son, Max Tweedy, 12. She created a large goldfish. Max produced a squid and an octopus among other animals.

Mrs Tweedy said: "We both like arts and crafts and thought this would be an interesting thing to do.

"The hoardings will make the site look brighter and more cheerful when you come into Bognor instead of seeing the Lec building with its broken

windows.

"Anything which helps to brighten that up a bit has to be good. I'll be proud if anything we have done is included in the final design and I'll be showing it off to everyone."

The design day was organised by the Lec site owner, Sime Darby London, with the help of the Bognor Community Action Network, Creative Response and 39 Youth Club.

Participants had five hours in which to join in at the Bognor Youth and Community Centre in Westloats Lane.

The first hour saw some 25 people produce artwork which ranged from seagulls and a female bather with a beachball, plenty of glittering objects and a carrot and a tree to reflect Bognor in Bloom.

They worked under the watchful eyes of artists Helen Yeo, Vicky Hulatt and Rebecca Locke.

Ms Yeo explained the finished artwork would be judged by Sime Darby London's managing director.

Computer wizardry would then turn them from A4-sized contributions to fill the three 2.4m X 4.8m hoardings.

The chosen designs could feature one large image or a collage of several images, she stated.

Carolyne Haynes, a spokeswoman for Sime Darby London, said: "We are

trying to make that site look nice. Hopefully, the hoardings will help to detract attention from the building."

A fourth hoarding has been filled by the new Bognor Regis regeneration logo.

*Sainsbury's has a planning application to build a 55,000sq ft store on part of the site under consideration by Arun District Council. Other plans for the rest of the land concern business units.

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