BLACKPOOL'S art gallery has entered into the spirit of the Golden Mile until the end of the October.

Queen Street strollers have been doing double-takes at the sight of the Grundy Gallery and adjacent central library parcelled up in a mile-long golden tape measure created by 5,000 local people.

Manchester artist Gaye Chorlton persuaded dozens of schools and community groups to take part, each segment depicting the contributors' memories, images or stories of Blackpool in gold

Made from paper, wax pastels, fabrics or paint, the segments were laminated, punched and sewn together before being draped around the building by Illuminations staff for the spotlit switch-on last Friday.

Blackpool arts development officer Lynn Fade is hopeful the Golden Mile may even get into the record books as the longest piece of collaborative public art.

"It's wonderful that children are returning to try and find their pictures among the hundreds of others," she said.

The gallery's aims were to boost its profile and attract new visitors - "Too many people are turned off museums and galleries because of the physical appearance of the buildings," said Ms Fade, hoping that the temporary change would help break down such barriers.

Funding came from Blackpool and Lancashire councils, NW Arts, First Leisure, In the Pink Leisure, SeaLife Centre, Rexel Business Machines and Preston College.

A display and video of how the Golden Mile was made is on show inside the gallery until September 26.

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