An exciting four-week arts festival has been launched to inject new life into the centre of Brentwood in the run-up to Christmas.

The St-ART project intends to utilise every empty shop and as many of the occupied retail units as possible in the town centre.

The aim is to bring some of the most exciting, diverse and innovative works of art to the public's doorstep.

Shoppers and residents will be able to enjoy a feast of artistic talent, ranging from visual arts to music and contemporary theatre to sculpture, during the festival which runs until Christmas Eve.

A total of 30 professional artists are taking part in the festival.

They will be joined by youth and community groups including the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, the Essex Youth Service, Havering Computer Group and Barking College.

Many businesses in and around the High Street have agreed to display art works on their premises for the duration of the festival.

St-ART organiser Stella Eldon says it will encourage more people to Brentwood, benefiting local businesses, artists and the general public.

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