Life-size versions of famous art appear in town

The Artscape trail features 19 celebrated artworks from London's National Gallery including Constable's The Hay Wain and Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Life-size reproductions of £65m worth of paintings have been hung in the "most unexpected places" across a Somerset town.

Streets and buildings in Bridgwater have been transformed into an art gallery with world-famous artworks by Van Gogh, Turner and Constable appearing at bus stops, in shops and on the outside of buildings.

Set up by community arts organisation Seed, The Artscape trail includes 19 celebrated artworks from London's National Gallery.

Seed director Scott O'Hara said the paintings, which are weather and graffiti-proof, are "as close to the real thing as you can get".

All the reproductions, including Claude Lorrain's Seaport with the Embarkation of Saint Ursula, include replica frames for extra authenticity

The Artscape trail has been set up to challenge the way people "experience art" by bringing art out of the gallery and on to the street.

With "no barriers between people and the power of great artwork", organisers say they hope it will give everyone the chance to "engage with art in a new and meaningful way".

The trail of masterpieces includes Van Gogh's Sunflowers, brightening up the entrance to the post office, Rembrant's Self Portrait at the Age of 34 gazing down on people at Court Streets and Constable's The Hay Wain surprising passers-by at a bus stop on Mount Street.

All the reproductions, which are the same size as the originals, even include replica frames for extra authenticity.

The trail, which includes An Allegory with Venus and Cupid by Bronzino, is due to be officially launched on 3 October

"We've got reproductions of about £65 million worth of paintings," said Mr O'Hara.

"As well as surprising and delighting people in the middle of their everyday, we want the trail to provide the opportunity for people to seek out and enjoy these incredible treasures across the town.

"It is too extensive to take in on one visit, and we hope it may also take people to places in Bridgwater they may never have visited before."

The trail, which includes a printed map as well as an online guide, is due to be officially launched on 3 October.

Rembrant's Self Portrait at the Age of 34 is one of the pieces on display