People's creative power brightens up drivers' lives in Bognor Regis

Community creativity is brightening up the lives of thousands of motorists in Bognor Regis every day.

The town's first people's artworks have gone on show in front of the former Lec site.

The three giant hoardings on Shripney Road are adorned with eye-catching designs created by dozens of residents.

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The resulting images have delighted those whose work was chosen to adorn the 4.8m by 4.8m hoardings.

Jan Saunders said: "Seeing my work up on the panels, I was really touched because I have never done anything like this before."

Sheila Haywood, 87, one of the main contributors, said: "Driving down Shripney Road with the sun shining and the hoardings looking really bright and colourful and the cars slowing down to have a look... I am delighted with it all."

Karen Holmes, from Community Action Network, who hosted the workshop, said: "I think they look wonderful '“ much better than the broken windows.

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"It was really nice the community got involved and we would like to thank Sime Darby for organising it all. I think this is a first for Bognor Regis."

The hoardings are in front of the derelict technical block of the one-time fridge and freezer factory.

They are intended to help to lessen the impact of the unused building while plans for a Sainsbury's store are being considered by Arun District Council.

Site owner Sime Darby London agreed to the idea of the hoardings from residents' group Brighter Bognor.

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Sime Darby London director Raof Daud said: "We realise this project does not fundamentally address the dereliction of the former Lec site.

"However, while our planning application for redevelopment is under consideration, we are very pleased to be contributing in a small way towards the ideals of the Bognor Regis regeneration charter.

"This is about engaging the community and bringing sustainable improvements to peoples lives '“ it is not just about the hoarding itself."

The panels have each been given a separate theme '“ community, working together in partnership; environment, Bognor in Bloom, eating/growing for health initiative; and seaside '“ to reflect the town as a whole.

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Local artists, including Helen Yeo, Vicky Hulatt and Rebecca Locke, helped Sime Darby London to select the final pieces of artwork which were then arranged to form the final panels.

The selection of pieces to use was challenging because of the large volume of submissions and high calibre of work produced.

As a result, Sime Darby London has decided to refresh the panels in a few months to enable more of the pictures to be seen and to maintain interest in the hoardings.

Everyone whose work was used received a voucher for a local art materials shop to thank them for their contribution.

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A fourth hoarding features the official Bognor Regis regeneration logo.

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