A full complement of murals depicting life in our seaside resort is in place thanks to the hard work of Sidmouth College artists.

Youngsters took inspiration from Van Gogh, John Williams, Banksy and David Hockney as they gave up their free time to restore colour to a familiar feature in the Ham car park.

Their creations were put in place in time for the arrival of the South West in Bloom judges, whose comments originally prompted the project.

Art teacher Terrie Turner said: “We’re really proud of all the year seven, eight and nine students who took part. The finished pieces are amazing and we’re grateful to Sidmouth in Bloom for giving them this opportunity to showcase their talents to the wider community.

“Hopefully the murals will be admired and appreciated by Sidmouth residents and visitors for many years to come.”

The murals depict the daffodils of the one million bulbs project that put Sidmouth on the map, the town’s seagulls and, in an homage to a piece by street artist Banksy, a view over the town through a broken wall.

Sidmouth in Bloom (SiB) initially suggested enlisting the probation service to revitalise the feature after competition judges commented on the algae-covered wall. The town council turned the proposal down and, instead, Sidmouth College students set to work. They painted four murals last year and the remaining five were put in place last Friday, free of charge, by Toucan Property Services Ltd.

SiB chairman Lynette Talbot said: “We are delighted with the murals. They are a good standard and interesting.”

She said the artwork would have helped towards the community and environment section of the South West in Bloom judging, along with the nearby fish murals by the play area and the urns that were planted by St John’s School pupils.