DOZENS of artists have taken part in a lockdown-friendly version of Blackburn’s annual Paint The Town art competition.

Around 60 artists from the town and across Lancashire took part in this year’s event – renamed Paint The Town @ Home.

Now in its fifth year, the event has seen artists of all ages and abilities capture Blackburn town centre and its people each year over the course of a single day.

The artists created paintings, drawings, sketches and other visual or digital artwork of Blackburn and its people from their homes, using the view from their window, photographs, or memory as inspiration.

Organiser Stella Boothman, from The Bureau Centre for the Arts, said: “We have had a remarkable response to this year's event, and it has been truly moving to be part of a day that brought so many talented and passionate people together through the act of creativity.

“People young and old took part, all working in their own homes, each sharing their journey of making throughout the day.

“The standard of work was once again very high, and we have had some wonderful and unique responses to the themes as a consequence of creative people being in lockdown.

“I am very proud and privileged to be one of the organisers of Paint The Town @ Home 2020.”

Artwork created included a painting of Darwen's Adidas designer Gary Aspden, who was chief curator of Adidas’ Spezial exhibition last October in Blackburn.

This year’s event was scheduled to take place in September, but the coronavirus lockdown changed plans and organisers chose to hold an online version of the event instead.

There were 15 under-18s who submitted work for the prize of arts and crafts materials, while 43 adults are vying for a chance to win £100 and exhibition space at The Bureau. People can vote for their favourite piece by liking it on The Bureau Centre for the Arts Facebook page.