A SET of murals will be painted across the town centre as part of plans to revitalise Andover’s heritage trail, if proposals are given the go-ahead.

Plans have been lodged to improve the scheme which aims to highlight and celebrate the town’s rich history, with the aim to use the new works of art to highlight Andover’s coaching heritage.

As part of the project, a new piece of historical art will be painted at the Old Gaol at The Bridge, in Bridge Street.

For a number of years, a mannequin had been stood in the cubby hole, made to look like a prisoner behind bars, however, Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) say, it has became “extremely scruffy” and it was removed after complaints.

To highlight the town’s coaching history, a highwayman would be painted on the internal walls of the cubby hole, shown to be locked up behind the bars.

The planning application lodged by TVBC states: “The site is the second stop on the heritage trail and tour in Andover and therefore the mural will be seen by many visitors and residents when following the route and taking part in the tours.”

The mural at The Angel Inn could also be refreshed as since its completion in 2002 it has faded “having weathered” and it is described as “dilapidated”.

The new work is likely to include a large map of the old coaching route from Exeter to London, with Andover as a key stop along the route.

It will also show ‘Andover time’ that was set behind London time by six minutes.

The final part of the mural will be a large life-sized coach and horses on the opposite side of the courtyard completing the story of the heritage of the “special site”.

The authority is also looking to remove old figurines from the courtyard of the pub as most have been scratched and damaged.

A handful have also been completely broken and have been removed due to health and safety.

The designs have been shared with borough council members of Andover Vision and Andover Town Council, along with The Bridge and The Angel Inn.

The authority has already commissioned modern mural artist Peter Barber after an “initial disappointing response, in relation to quality of work from very few applicants”.

It is expected Mr Barber’s work will “enable residents and visitors of Andover to learn about, enjoy and discover the heritage of the town”.

To view the plans, go to testvalley.gov.uk/planning-and-building/viewplanningapplicationsonline and search for the references 18/01740/FULLN and 18/01656/LBWN.