INCREDIBLE illustrations of Colchester's landmarks have been created as part of a free community project.

The project, called Discover Colchester, has been launched today by Colchester's MP Will Quince and Lion Walk Shopping Center manager Martin Leatherdale.

It involves two different activity books entitled Discover Colchester which are free for families to download and print at home.

Gazette:

Landmark - Colchester Castle 

They will also be sent to all local primary schools, for those without printing facilities at home, and hard copies will be made available free of charge from Boots, in Lion Walk.

One activity book features a collection of ten illustrations of local landmarks for colouring and the second activity book comprises a series of thought provoking questions to accompany the drawings.

Landmarks include;

• Colchester Castle & Band Stand

• Colchester Zoo

• Colchester Garrison

• Roman Wall / Balkerne Gate

• Town Hall

• Abbey Gate

• Tymperley’s

• Firstsite

• Jumbo

Mr Quince said: “I am so proud to be Colchester’s MP, it is the most amazing town with a fascinating history. I put together the Discover Colchester project to celebrate our town’s unique heritage and set some questions which I hope will inspire a new generation to find out more about their home town.

"Whether it is colouring in the ten wonderful illustrations by local artist Veronica de Vera or researching the history of these famous Colchester landmarks, I hope that these activities will give all young Colcestrians a thought-provoking lockdown project and parents a little time off."

Gazette:

Illustration - Colchester Zoo 

Mr Leatherdale, who is sponsoring the project, said: "I hope you all enjoy completing the Discover Colchester activity books as much as we have had helping create them.

"A huge thanks to Will Quince MP and Veronica de Vera for enabling us to be part of this incredible community project.

"We live in a beautiful town, steeped in history, with an amazing community spirit. Lockdown has presented a challenge for us all, and it has been a pleasure to use this time to support the young people of Colchester – embracing and engaging with our incredible history and culture.

"I hope you have fun drawing and learning. I can’t wait to see them!”

As part of the experience there will also be six £50 competition prize giveaways with the completed submission of work to discovercolchester@lionwalk.co.uk.

The activity books can be downloaded from, willquince.com/discover-colchester or lionwalkshopping.com/activity-books.