An innovative scheme to restore pride in Dovercourt and Harwich and encourage new investment is about to get under way.

Giant murals have been painted to replace tattered boards in empty shops.

It comes after criticism about the run-down appearance of some buildings, which have been called "disgraceful" and "scruffy".

Lesley Chambers, Harwich and Dovercourt town centre manager, has been overseeing the mural project.

She said: "One of the objectives in the town centre management business plan was to have murals painted which could be placed in empty shop premises' windows and thereby help to brighten up the towns and try to bring some uniformity into the appearance of these premises."

Signwriter Bryan Rowland was commissioned to produce six murals depicting scenes of Harwich and Dovercourt.

They have been painted on PVC and are 10ft by 5ft, can be rolled in to fit any window length, and cost under £1,000 in total.

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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