A vintage art trail will come to Workington as the town gears up for a new festival.

Lakes College students have created artwork to be displayed in key locations across the town ahead of the first Vintage In The Town Festival on September 9.

Dresses inspired by 1950s icons, period outfits inspired by the Curwens, retro hair and nails styles, paintings depicting the old Workington and reproductions of vintage film posters will all be displayed in the days leading up to the event.

Helen Fowler, organiser, said: "It's something we did to empower the students and give them to confidence to go out there, talk to people and pitch their ideas.

"They had to prepare a presentation to explain what they wanted to do to reflect the nature of the festival. They presented the designs and we chose the ones we wanted and where we wanted them to go.

"They have been working on it through the course of the year and then they had to pitch their idea to the venues again."

Work will be displayed in the streets of the town centre and at locations including Cafe West, the Bridge Centre, Marks And Spencer, the Theatre Royal and the Plaza cinema.

Some of the artwork is already in place, with pieces to be added as the festival draws closer.

The group of students who have taken part will receive £300 worth of Debenhams vouchers as a thank you for their participation.

Shona Jones, Lakes College tutor, said: "The artworks vary from new and edited old photographs, large painted boards invoking Workington's past to garments. These include a steelman suit, replica dresses worn by Isabella Curwen, a fishing dress, a Stagecoach dress and a fifties inspired trio. Students also created artwork for classic films which will are displayed at the Plaza cinema.

"This has been a great experience for the participating students, as they have been working on a live brief with a client and a real deadline. They have been able to discuss the work with the client at points during the project and ultimately their pieces will be seen by a huge amount of people leading up to and on the day of the event."

But it doesn't end with the art trail.

Hair and beauty students will be on hand to give festival-goers a vintage makeover and students from the catering department will also provide afternoon tea on the day of the festival.

Vintage stalls, street artists, food stalls, fairground rides and live music will also be part of the mix at the event, organised under the banner of Paint the Town Red.

For more information visit www.vintageworkington.co.uk