Festival helps create 20 new murals across town

Street artists are creating 20 new murals across a seaside town as part of a 10-day festival.

Weston-super-Mare's Weston Wallz street art festival has returned for its sixth year, taking place from 17-26 July.

Alongside the new murals, the festival programme also includes workshops, guided tours and community art projects.

Steve Hayles, co-founder of Upfest in Bristol and Weston Wallz, said: "We try to get the location involved in the artworks themselves. A lot of them pay homage to Weston, the beach, the seaside, we've given that as a loose brief. There might be a giant crab coming, among other things."

Weston Wallz has created about 20 murals each year it has run, with about 85 of them now spread across the town.

"This year we've got a great selection of artists, international, local, which will come in and leave their mark on the town," Hayles said.

They will be repainting five of the original walls that were painted during the festival six years ago, but also paint 15 new spaces.

"It's inspiring, it's very accessible, it's in the public domain. It really links in with the community and young people," Hayles said.

It is hoped visitors will explore Weston to discover the art work.

"One of the ideas of Weston Wallz means visitors that come to the town are exploring different areas of Weston and supporting the local businesses," Hayles added.

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