PUPILS at schools across Colchester are set to get “st-arty” this festive season as part of a huge new community Christmas project.

The project, supported by Our Colchester Business Improvement District’s consumer brand In Colchester, will see youngsters design and decorate 3D stars, creating a custom collection of 650 to go on display.

Once complete, the hand-decorated artwork will be installed at key locations in the town centre, including in Fenwick’s atrium, Culver Square Shopping Centre, Colchester Library and many independent stores.

Sam Good, Business Improvement District manager, said: “This exciting project will see beautiful stars adorning Colchester throughout the Christmas season, which will deliver festive cheer across the town.

“It’s a delight to be able to showcase work by talented children which everyone coming to Colchester town centre can enjoy. We look forward to seeing all the families seeking out their little one’s school’s stars via the star trail on our new website and celebrate the talent in our schools.”

Participating schools will receive about 30 stars to decorate as they see fit and once the festive season is over, these will be return to the schools for them to keep.

Colchester Council is also supporting the project as part of its Better Colchester campaign.

Council leader Mark Cory said: “Christmas is always such a special time and this project will bring an extra community festive spirit to the town centre this year helping build a Better Colchester.

“It’s going to be an exciting project and I am looking forward to seeing the designs that budding artists come up with.”

Nancy Foster, store director at Fenwick Colchester, said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for schoolchildren to get involved with the Christmas activities in Colchester and play a big part in it.

“It will be so exciting to see their creativity displayed within Fenwick and all throughout the town centre and will bringing some true individuality to the festivities.”

In Colchester will be running the Star Hunt art trail throughout December, with information on the whereabouts of each school’s stars on the website at incolchester.co.uk.