A PROJECT that started life in Dursley has been taking the country by storm.

The On View project, aimed at regenerating empty shop windows by filling them with art exhibitions, has inspired towns around the UK and has attracted media attention from all over the world.

It was the brain-child of Uley artist Karen Hilliard and Dursley town councillor and amateur artist Jon Martin.

The project takes empty shops, all of which have so far been in Silver Street, paints and redecorates them at no cost to the landlord then invites local or national artists to display their work in the window for a period of six weeks.

The exhibitions serve to brighten up previously empty shop fronts, they offer an excellent space for artists to display their work to the general public, they help estate agents to market the shops to potential tenants and eventually landlords are able to re-let the shops.

Until recently On View was just a small scheme helping four shops in Dursley but after a chance slot on television word has spread and it is inspiring towns from Scotland to Ireland who are trying to find ways to regenerate their town centres during the recession.

"I have been getting phone calls from people from all over the place, either finding out whether a project like ours would work for them or asking advice on how to get it started," said Karen, who is an independent ceramic sculptor.

Karen has had calls from Fife, in Scotland, Cork in Ireland, and Tewkesbury among other places and has given interviews to foreign and international newspapers all interested in the On View project.

"I think because of the high profile of our project and because it has been so successful at regenerating the area of Silver Street people can see it will really work," said Karen.

"It is a model that could work for many towns and cities.

"The project works for the estate agents, it works for the landlords, it works for the artists and most of all the community really gains from it."

Cllr Martin, who is chair of the town council’s town improvements committee, said he hopes more landlords of empty shops will support the project.

"Even the initial changes in Silver Street have already had a significant effect on the appearance of this part of town," said Cllr Martin.

"What is also encouraging is the new wave of enquires for vacant premises in the street which has already resulted in two new lettings and sale of other premises."