A car park in Southampton has been further transformed into a street art gallery as the Multi-Stories initiative returned for a third year.

Levels four, five, and six of the Westquay shopping centre car park became a live gallery over the weekend, with more than 40 street artists taking the time to showcase their work.

The Multi-Stories project began two years ago, aiming to bring vibrant street art to the wider public, and Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, says the project has been a massive success.

She said: "It was really a fantastic event. The quality of the art has been absolutely fantastic. It has been good each year, but there were some absolutely stunning pieces.

"It has become a destination car park and has brought in audiences that Westquay is really pleased about.

"The audience has grown year on year. It has been a really good event for young people and families, as well as people who just love street art."

READ MORE: Charity quiz raises £1,000 to help children affected by cancer

In addition to the street art, there were live DJs, break dancing and skateboarding lessons inside the 2,484-space multi-storey car park.

The event also included community workshops and emerging artist commissions, and other highlights included graffiti canvas painting, badge making, sticker art, chalk and tape art.

Claire Whitaker added: "We were using levels four, five and six and that now bridges the artworks we have done, so you really have a continuity of fantastic street art.

"Families working together to be creative, and it was a very good vibe throughout the weekend. 

"The car park looks amazing, it is really something for Southampton to celebrate.

"Well done to West Quay for investing and bringing colour and creativity to an otherwise darker space."

With this stage completed, street art now features on levels one through nine.

READ MORE: Free two-day world music festival at Westquay this summer

(Image: Ryan Prince)

This year, the theme was "connections", and street artists were actively encouraged to work together.

Live mural painting was also part of the event, where artists will be collaborating in real-time to create large-scale murals and a dedicated community workshop area on level five featured interactive activities for families.

It has not been confirmed whether or not Multi-Stories will be returning for a fourth year.