YOU'D be forgiven for thinking Basildon was devoid of any creativity, but you'd be wrong.

In fact, a large collection of contemporary and traditional art work has been donated to the people of Basildon through the Basildon Arts Trust.

Much of the work was originally donated by a Basildon businessman who had links with the international art world and wanted to give something back to the community.

Last year the work was put up in makeshift gallery in Basildon's Eastgate Centre and the response was surprising.

"We had around 50,000 people visit over the five months it was on," says Peter Patterson, trustee of the Basildon Arts Trust.

"We had people come in there who had never been into an art gallery before and they were nervous, but once they saw what it was all about they loved it.

There were these three teenagers who walked past one day and were shouting it's a waste of space', so I went after them and asked them what they meant. 20 minutes later they left and said thank you, shook my hand and made a donation.

"The people of Basildon are not given the opportunity to see things like this."

With the nearest gallery to Basildon as far away as Southend and Chelmsford, Peter felt dismayed that the locals didn't have access to something similar on their doorstep.

In response he recently opened the New Art Gallery at Barleylands Craft Centre, Billericay, a stone's throw from Basildon town centre.

"It displays primarily the work of Basildon artists," says Peter, whose own work also adorns the walls.

"And lets people know that there is art here. It's that lack of culture that people relate to Basildon and I want to change that."

The Basildon Arts Trust collection is currently on display in the Upper Foyer of the Towngate Theatre while the Basildon Centre is undergoing refurbishment.

Contact the theatre on 01268 533333 for more information