IT'S finally here! After months on end of preparation, making, sculpting, photographing, cutting, sewing, painting, promoting and planning, the Leigh Art Trail opens this Saturday.

It is the 21st year for the trail and it will celebrate by showcasing the work of 63 artists in 53 local shops, cafes and businesses until June16, bringing in thousands of visitors to join the celebrations.

The whole community is invited to get involved, with free sketching and textiles workshops available, plus amazing art by local school children on display at the community centre, St Clement’s Church and Belfairs Woodland Centre.

Art Trail favourites, including landscape painter Jonathan Trim, potter Richard Baxter and mixed-media artist Tricia North are back, alongside a wealth of talent who are new to the Leigh Art Trail.

Wendy Scotland, LAT organiser, said: “Lots of venues are taking part for the first time and we also have 19 artists new to the Trail, so I’d encourage people to look out for them as they explore the route.

“I’m thrilled, too, that c2c have come on board this year, letting our artists take over platforms and waiting rooms at Leigh Station and Chalkwell Station and giving the Trail another dimension.

“The whole event is going to be spectacular and I can’t wait to see everyone wowed by the incredible art being produced right on their doorstep.”

One of the artists exhibiting on the Leigh Art Trail for the first time, is expressionist artist Dave Nevard, from Southend.

He said: "I'm excited to be in the Trail for the first time. Last year was buzzing on that opening Saturday when I walked around, so I can't wait to see what happens this year.

"The LAT is a great organisation that has the the artist at the heart of its ethos and I'm pretty chuffed to be included.

"I think it has managed to keep going because of the sheer amount of work that goes on behind the scenes from the people involved, all for the love of it!

"I held an art show at Pride and Glory tattoo studio on Leigh Road, a couple of years back. It was a great show and I'm really happy to be back there, for the Leigh Art Trail. It's a great venue, half studio and half gallery space, and as Chessie Clear, the proprietor of the studio is a talented artist herself, she is really supportive of the local arts scene and often holds different artists' shows there.

"My show has several new pieces in it which reflect various views and feelings, fundamentally based on human behaviour, which I personally find easier to show visually, than express with words.

"People may find some of it on the darker side of expressionism."

As well as an opportunity to view and buy paintings, ceramics, photography, embroidery and more, the Trail lets people meet the artists, discuss their work and watch demonstrations.

A run-down of artists taking part and where to find them is in the free Leigh Art Trail Guide, which can already be picked up in cafes and shops across the town, or via leigharttrail.com

A-boards will help guide visitors between the exhibition spaces, which stretch from from Marine Parade, via the Broadway, Leigh Road and the Old Town, as far as the Ridgeway in Chalkwell.

Late opening is available on Thursday June 14, with many venues throwing open their doors until 9pm.

Visitors are also urged to keep an eye out for the Secret Auction pieces donated by the Leigh Art Trail artists and awaiting bids in all the venues throughout the week.

Wendy added: “It’s a case of pick your favourite, fill in a card, post it in the Secret Auction box and if you’re the highest bidder on Saturday June 16, you’ll be going home with a stunning piece of original work!”

Visit leigharttrail.com for further information.