ROGER Black, Nat Gonella and Henry Cook.

Those are some of the Hampshire celebrities that could be gracing a city street as young people are being encouraged to get creative this summer with a series of free art workshops.

The sessions are designed to help them learn about the heritage of the town through the eyes of the unique characters who helped to shape it.

Over six days the young people will work with artists from Spud, a world leader in delivering collaborations involving art, architecture and education.

They will create 3D sculptures of some of the many characters from Gosport’s past, including jazz trumpeter, bandleader and vocalist, Nat Gonella, Henry Cook, founder of a ragged school and mission to seafarers in the town, and Olympic athlete, Roger Black.

After being born in the coastal town, Black went on to claim gold medals in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

When complete, the sculptures will form a trail around the high street, with many local businesses already offering window space to display the sculptures the young people create.

The trail will be part of the many activities taking place in Gosport for Heritage Open Days in September with a leaflet available to collect from Search.

Deborah Neubauer, Head of Community at HCT, said: ‘These workshops are a brilliant opportunity for young people to learn about the history of their town and have fun while bringing characters from the past to life.’

Spaces are still available for the free workshops which run from 10am until 4pm on all three days of the two sessions. Aimed at 11 to 15-year-olds, the workshops are part of My Gosport, a Heritage Lottery funded project run by Hampshire Cultural Trust.

The workshops take place at Search in Clarence Road from August 1 to 3 and 8 to 10. To find out more contact Helen Ellis on mygosport2018@gmail.com.