DORSET artists were drawn to a Dorchester arcade for the unveiling of a new public artwork.

Local artists braved the rain to come to the installation of the curved oak bench in Tudor Arcade yesterday.

Furniture makers Simon Thomas Pirie Ltd, of Briantspuddle, crafted the public artwork to echo a throne or love seat.

Simon Pirie said: “It was a lot of fun designing the bench, we wanted to make it a bit different and playful.

“The aim was for it to be a centrepiece, we wanted to create somewhere people will talk about, hopefully then it will become a meeting place in the town.”

Ann Pearce, a Puddletown artist who designs jewellery, came to the unveiling.

She said: “I really love the bench. It’s great to see art that’s practical and creative – it’s a real talking point for people in the town.”

The piece is part of a project to refurbish the shopping arcade, which has seen the redesigning of the rooflights and a new lighting scheme.

Architect Gavin Hutchinson said: “The bench is one part of the overall project to lift the arcade.

“The rooflight has really made it lighter and brighter and opened up the whole space.”