ROLL UP, roll up – two community painting sessions are open to all with the aim of transforming empty shops on Portland’s main thoroughfare.

Volunteers are being urged to grab paintbrushes and rollers and help create artwork and a mural to jazz up boarded-up premises in Fortuneswell.

The Let’s Colour sessions are being staged tomorrow, Saturday November 3, and Saturday, November 10, thanks to artist Pete Sheridan, the Portland Comm-unity Partnership, Dulux and the Groundwork environmental regeneration charity.

Both art workshops will be taking place from 10am to 12pm at Fancy’s Farm, at the end of the Glacis, near the Heights Hotel.

The project aims to inject more colour to Fortuneswell, through art work and colour transformation of some closed down shops including a mural for the Rockies shop.

Pete, of Dorchester, said: “I’ve done previous projects on Portland at the Young Offenders Institution, where I taught young prisoners to create a mural using aerosol art.

“This is very different to that. Dulux are sponsoring the paint so it will all be hand-painted with brushes and rollers.

“In my head I know exactly how it’s going to look.

“I want to paint an old shop front in sepia, filled with items.

“The key thing will be the items in the shop and I hope as many people as possible will get involved and contribute ideas.”

Mr Sheridan said for drivers passing by the Fortuneswell mural may look just like ‘another shop’ but closer inspection will reveal more.

He said: “I want people to have a big say about what items are in the shop mural, it’s up to the public.

“I want to make it fun.”

Residents of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part.

It does not matter if people have not done artwork before as Mr Sheridan will be on hand to help.

Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.

Portland Community Partnership (PCP) spokesman Andy Matthews said: “PCP are continuing to support ways to improve the streetscene in Fortuneswell.

“We think this project, which we hope will involve young people, will start to capture everyone’s imagination.”

To find out more about the project call Yvonne Beven on 07910 550040 or visit letscolour.co.uk