Plans to brighten up parts of Weymouth are one step closer to completion after a public consultation on Saturday.

Members of the public voted on the type of artwork they would like to see on the walls of Weymouth’s subways.

Julie Hursthouse, community development officer for Dorset Council’s Partnership, said around 40 people voted with natural, historical and magical themes coming out on top.

The consultation took place at the Waverley Community Hub in Abbotsbury Road.

“Everyone has been really excited,” she said. “The ideas have been amazing. Ideas around nature, beach and wetlands along with historical themes linking Weymouth to the maritime era, military history and Anzac have all been quite popular.”

She added ideas around the fairy lights had also proved popular including a ‘modern twist’ with a mural featuring a magical fairy.

The project, spearheaded by a group of community champions including public, private and voluntary organisations, will see three subways in Weymouth decorated with vibrant murals - King’s Street Subway, the first Westham subway and the underpass beneath the Swannery Bridge.

Mrs Hursthouse said: “The idea is to give people a sense of pride in their area. People are fed up with the children’s graffiti in the subways and it will brighten up the area and make people happy.”

She added ideas for further artwork had also resulted from the consultation such as an ‘open art wall’ where the public would be given permission to paint their own art in a designated area - an idea the group would like to take forward.

Murals were painted in parts of the resort back in 2011.

“The street art we did then hasn’t really been touched for seven years and it’s lasted really well. Because it was so popular before we thought we’d expand it further,” Mrs Hursthouse said. “A lot of people at the consultation were saying they just want to see it done now and they love what we are doing.

“I think it gives people a real sense of ownership over the area. It’s not going to be owned by any one particular person or organisation. We are working totally in partnership - it’s a new way forward.”

Two artists have been employed to carry out the work and Mrs Hursthouse said it had been important that the project ‘kept it local’. World renowned artist Peter Sheridan, who has recently move to Portland, and Weymouth artist Andy Smith.

Mrs Hursthouse said a meeting will take place on Friday to decide which subways will be decorated with which themes. The project is hoped to be completed by the end of November.