MURALS on Blackpool's South Pier could be described as "way out"... and that has resulted in two Lancashire sign artists exhibiting at London's Tate Britain gallery.

Partners Dave Crossley and Cleveleys-born Pete Ball, of Preston-based Wet Paint, have just completed a seven foot work which will be part of New British Art 2000: Intelligence.

It is the first in a series of contemporary art exhibitions which opens at the famous gallery today (July 6).

Their masterpiece will not, however, be gracing the foyer or take pride of place in the central exhibition hall.

It is, in fact, an exit sign. Dave Crossley explained how they came to be discovered by the Tate.

"Buyers for the exhibition saw the murals we had created on Blackpool's South Pier," he said.

"They were very impressed so they tracked us down via burger bars and amusement rides. "We have always seen ourselves more as artists than signwriters so we were very flattered to be commissioned.

"The exhibition is all about seeing the world in a different light. The buyers obviously wanted to ensure every detail was given an artistic treatment."

The mural is seven feet tall and six feet wide. It shows a furious and fierce gargoyle in 3D relief, with menacing eyes and flared nostrils. Inside the gargoyle's mouth is scrawled the word "exit". It will be placed on the exit doors of the exhibition.

The Wet Paint creation has been collected by the Tate and carefully transported south in an airtight container.

Wet Paint is based on Preston's Fylde Road Industrial Estate. It was founded by Dave in 1995 and specialises in airbrush effects as well as more traditional signwriting.

Recently Pete joined Wet Paint when he sold his Manchester-based signwriting business. Both are self taught sign artists who share a passion for dragsters and racing cars. Dave lives in Preston and Pete lives in Sale, Cheshire.