SWANAGE'S famous sea views may be a stone's throw away, but it doesn't mean Nicky Russ and her staff can't enjoy them.

As winter descends, the staff of Wyke Holiday Properties Ltd in the High Street continue to bask in the summer sun.

All four office walls have been turned into a panoramic view of Swanage Bay including a Punch and Judy show.

Turn to your left and you glimpse the green hills of Ballard Down, while over to your right you see holidaymakers enjoying a stroll on the jetty.

Nicky, who bought the business two years ago, explained it all began with an inkling that she wanted to liven the office up a bit.

Now her secretary Tracy Chapman can glance up from her desk and see herself enjoying a trip out on a fishing boat.

There is a coastguard helicopter hovering over the bay, seagulls and families out enjoying the beach.

Nicky said: "I think it's absolutely fantastic - it is really making people laugh."

The mural was created by Cliff Towler and Lance Nation, both 40-somethings who first met as art students at Bournemouth College.

Their Bournemouth-based Creative Studio is used to dealing with a wide variety of advertising commissions - but nothing quite like this.

Cliff said: "It took a long time and we had a lot of fun. We started back in the summer taking photographs, so now it's wet and windy you walk in here and it gives you a lift."

Nicky said: "It started off as a simple idea but it mushroomed."

First published: Oct 20