New banner featuring octopus mascot unveiled

A new banner has been unveiled on Ipswich's Paul's silo building on the waterfront

A new banner featuring a town's popular mascot has been unveiled.

The large art installation features Digby the blue octopus on Ipswich's derelict Paul's silo building on the waterfront.

The octopus mascot was used several years ago on another banner on the same building and it was also used for the Love Your Street anti-litter campaign.

Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central that commissioned the new piece, said it was a "celebration of local talent".

"Public art has the power to shape the way people feel about a place," he explained.

"This new art installation is not only a visual transformation of a grey space, but a celebration of local talent and effective partnership working.

"We're proud to have played a part in bringing this to life."

Artist John D Edwards, who is behind the Digby the Octopus design, said he hoped the piece would "continue to bring a smile to Ipswich"

The banner measures 29m by 27m (about 95ft by 90ft) and was created by local artist Sammi Wong, inspired by a piece of art that won her a World Illustration Award.

Ms Wong, who now works at Suffolk New College and studied at the University of Suffolk, said she was "delighted" to see her design come to life.

"It's been amazing to watch something that started as a conceptual design for a university degree module has become a large-scale feature of the town I love," she said.

Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council that gave permission for the banner, said the piece brought a "new vibrancy" to the waterfront and "demonstrates the power of creativity".

The banner will be on public display through the year.