IT was a pair of 17th Century leather shoes dredged up from the remains of a shipwreck, perfectly intact from being encased in the silt of the Thames Estuary, that moved artist Alison Bournes to launch her project Not All Things Go to Plan.

The exhibition, which will be open for the first time to the public as part of the Leigh Art Trail 2018, will feature 300 pairs of ceramic shoes, individually made and stamped with symbols and words, detailing the lives of those lost when The London ship went down on March 7, 1665.

It was a massive gunpowder explosion which blew up the famed flagship boat, killing more than 300 crew and sinking her near Southend.

The London had been anchored at the Nore and was preparing to head off to war with the Dutch.

The wreck remains on the seabed three-and-a-half centuries later, close to Southend Pier. In recent years divers have been bringing up artefacts before they are lost forever to the sea.

Alison said: “I’ve been able to handle some of the finds from the wreck, ranging from wax candles, pewter spoons, rope, linstocks for firing cannons, glass bottles and leather shoes worn by the sailors of the ship. It was fascinating and thought-provoking.

“The leather shoes really moved me. There in front of me was evidence of the human loss from this tragic accident, preserved so beautifully for 350 years in the silt of the Thames Estuary.

“I felt I needed to make a response and the shoes were my starting point.”

Alison’s beautiful work will be displayed at Store Thirty3, Elm Road, Leigh, during the Leigh Art Trail from June 9 - 16.

Alison added: “The exhibition also touches on the fact there are no records of those who died, although the time in which they lived saw England on the cusp of being a maritime world power.

“My work reflects our relationship to the sea, past and present, and the effect it can have on our lives, especially when things don’t go to plan and the unexpected happens.”

The Leigh Art Trail celebrates its 21st year in 2018, showcasing the work of more than 60 artists in local shops, cafes and businesses.

For more information visit leigharttrail.com