COMMUNITY artwork commissioned by Winchester City Council has been given a new lease of life and will be displayed in permanent locations around Chesil Street.

The ‘We found it in Chesil’ project was originally created to run alongside the Chesil Extra Care Scheme development in Winchester.

The artwork, which was displayed on the hoardings of the site, was produced by French artist Laurence Dube-Rushby.

However, after the hoardings were taken down as part of the landscaping work, the community groups involved with the project enthusiastically took ownership of the designs and they are now being displayed in new venues including St John’s House, All Saints School in Highcliffe and Chesil Theatre, the artwork is also being displayed at the entrance to Chesil Tunnel, at the end of Old Station Approach that carried the Southampton-Newbury railway until the 1960s.

The artwork was inspired by the stories, memories and images of Chesil Street that people shared with Laurence. Each design was influenced by people and groups engaged with the project including All Saint’s School, Chesil Theatre, residents at St John’s Charity, businesses including Black Boy pub, Steel funeral directors, The Chesil Rectory and other local organisations including Winchester City Mill, Winchester Area Tourist Guide Association and Hampshire Cultural Trust.

Caroline Horrill, portfolio holder for housing services and leader of Winchester City Council said: “It was my very great pleasure to officially unveil the art designs last year and to meet Laurence and the team of people who engaged with the project.”

She added: “I am delighted to see that the project has a positive legacy now these community led designs have found a more permanent home.”