FAMILY photos will be used to create a spectacular art project celebrating Poole Park’s 125th anniversary.

Residents are being asked to submit the pictures of themselves in a bid to form a mosaic, which when viewed from a distance will depict the original 1890 design of the park.

This, organisers say, will give people a chance to be part of a legacy which is set to be displayed near the information centre for years to come.

And for every £5 donated with each photo uploaded, the Heritage Lottery Fund will give £50. It is hoped this will take it a step closer to being awarded a £2.7million grant which would be put towards improving the park between 2017 and 2020.

Eunice Marsden, chair of the charity Poole Park Heritage Group, said: “I am delighted my original idea has grown into this wonderful project that I am sure will be welcomed with enthusiasm by the people of Poole as they join us, The Poole Park Heritage Group, in giving our full support to the Poole Park Life Heritage Lottery bid.”

Launching the project, the mayor of Poole, Cllr Ann Stribley, said: “It gives me great pleasure to witness all the hard work that has gone into this latest fundraising project.

“I am delighted to be celebrating the park’s 125th anniversary especially as I was also mayor of Poole during its 100th birthday year.”

In July, August and September there will be prizes awarded, with the 125th person to upload their photo each month receiving a Sony H300 camera worth £149 from the Tesco at Branksome.

And Poole-based telecoms business Grapevine have supplied two tablets to enable volunteers to capture and upload images of visitors from anywhere in the park.

More businesses are also being encouraged to take part. Information about the different corporate packages available as well as the project as a whole can be fond online at poolepark.org.