SCHOOL children and historians are working on an impressive optical illusion display for the town centre.

The Radion project will see a digital display of historical and futuristic art work on show for visitors and shoppers in Basildon Town Centre.

Basildon Council, historians, residents and 10 borough primary schools have worked on the project.

The project named ‘Radion’ after one of the borough’s first cinemas, the former Laindon Picture Theatre, began at the start of the year.

There will be two separate digital images being displayed on two sides of a digital screen which will be installed outside the new Empire Cinema in East Square once completed.

David Harrison, chairman of Basildon Council's neighbourhoods and public spaces committee, Councillor David Harrison said: “This is something the community can feel a sense of ownership of that can leave a lasting legacy in the borough and in particular in the new East Square which will become the night time hub of a totally transformed Basildon town centre.”

Ken Porter from Basildon Heritage said: “Our group was privileged to be involved in helping to develop this interesting and imaginative project by providing photographs and history knowledge.

"It will be one of the projects that we will display at our various events for a considerable time to come."

Debbie Clark, Art Lead at Lee Chapel Primary School, said the school was pleased to be involved.

She added: The children really enjoyed the activity, and the presentation was perfect for all of our junior classes.

"Due to Covid-19 the children were able to work on their leaves independently, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole process.

"We look forward to seeing the finished piece.”

Council bosses say the screen will appear like an optical illusion which will change and move.

Everything on the screens will have come from the workshops and contributions to the project. Children will be able to recognise their own leaf rubbings on the woodland panorama and heritage of the borough past and present will be shared on the other side of the screen.