ART lovers are being encouraged to visit an impressive hidden art gallery display in the heart of Southend city centre.

The display in Victoria Shopping Centre contains paintings created by pupils at Shoebury High school with sponsorship from South Essex homes.

Echo: Greetings - A wonderful depiction of Southend seafrontGreetings - A wonderful depiction of Southend seafront (Image: Simon Murdoch)

The walls near the public toilet in the shopping plaza have been decorated to commemorate the historic Second World War 1940 Dunkirk evacuation.

Echo: Escape - Soldiers evacuating with the Leigh Endeavour cockle boatEscape - Soldiers evacuating with the Leigh Endeavour cockle boat (Image: Simon Murdoch)

Imagery also includes work on the famous Leigh Endeavour cockle boat and soldiers.

Simon Murdoch, Echo camera club member, highlighted the images.

Echo: Soldiers - the Dunkirk evacuationSoldiers - the Dunkirk evacuation (Image: Simon Murdoch)

He said: “I’ve discovered this very impressive hidden art gallery display at the Victoria Plaza shopping centre in Southend and took some photos of it.

“There is also another piece of artwork highlighting pollution in the sea titled ‘stop pollution’ and another saying ‘Greetings from Southend, wish you were here’ on it.”

Echo: Environment - Pupils highlight pollutionEnvironment - Pupils highlight pollution (Image: Simon Murdoch)

The artwork depicts natural habitats of animals potentially at risk of destruction from the use of plastics and industrialisation with the strong statement ‘don’t use our ocean as a litter bin’.

Work also shows the Southend seafront with an array of greenery and blue colours depicting one of the key features of Southend.

Residents can see the work at Victoria Plaza now.