ARTISTS have come together with Bournemouth and Poole tourism teams to paint a series of ‘selfie wall’ murals along the seafront.

Stretching from Southbourne to Sandbanks, the trail consists of 11 art pieces aimed at encouraging people to visit the coast.

Designed as backdrops for people’s photographs, the trail will run from May 26 until September 2 and has been coordinated by Ambassadeur Art gallery.

Among the seven artists to have taken part in the project, without any payment, is Iain Alexander who was part of the team which created the Spiderman mural at Pier Approach.

He said that he hoped the trail, which includes his heart of butterflies on Bournemouth Pier, could be expanded with more artists and businesses joining in with the scheme.

“Ideally, in five years’ time, I would like to see 100 pieces all along the coast.

“We wanted to create something which would encourage people to get out and enjoy the seafront.

“There’s a great artistic community in Bournemouth, particularly with the arts university, and it is great to be able to work with them all.”

The project is part of increased collaboration between the Bournemouth and Poole tourism teams.

Helping to launch the trail on Wednesday was mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Lawrence Williams who met the artists at Bournemouth Pier in his penultimate engagement before handing over the chain of office to Cllr Derek Borthwick on Friday.

“The trail is a brilliant idea,” he said. “It is an example of what Bournemouth is all about and is a great addition to the seafront.”

Cllr John Challinor, cabinet portfolio holder for leisure at Poole Council said: “The Selfie Wall Trail is a fantastic collaboration between Poole and Bournemouth’s tourism teams and the best of local artistic talent.

“The project is a perfect way for families and groups of friends to either explore the whole of the ten miles of seafront or shorter distances – running, walking or cycling.”

A competition is being run alongside the trail with the best selfie being awarded a prize which includes a family stay at Bournemouth Beach Lodges and a one-year film club membership at the Lighthouse in Poole.