IT'S NOT often that Bournemouth sees the creation of such an enormous public artwork. But then it's not often that a new novel by Jane Austen is brought to life on the small screen.

Now the two have been brought together at the unlikely location of the junction at Rutland Road and Charminster Avenue where artist David Downes has been commissioned by ITV to create a large-scale public mural on a vacant billboard to celebrate the beginning of Sanditon on Sunday.

Sanditon is based on a novel by Jane Austen which she failed to complete before her death in 1817. It tells the story of the spirited and unconventional Charlotte Heywood and her spiky relationship with the humorous, charming Sidney Parker.

When a chance accident transports her from her rural hometown of Willingden to the would-be coastal resort of the eponymous title, it exposes Charlotte to the intrigues and dalliances of a seaside town on the make, and the characters whose fortunes depend on its commercial success.

David, who has high-functioning autism and is able to visualise views with correct perspective

was asked to submit drawings for a potential mural inspired by Sanditon and its themes.

"I've visited towns including Swanage and Bridport and Lyme Regis so there are thatched cottages and late Regency architecture as well as an early forge," he says.

ITV commissioned the work and then had the outline projected onto the giant billboard, which lies at a road junction near to the Fiveways pub.

"I've done a commission for the Savoy in 2012 which was pretty large-scale but this is real outdoors," said David. He's enjoyed the public aspect of his work, which has been the subject of curiosity and interest from people living locally.

"It's good to talk to people about the process of it," he said. "I'm used to working in solitude in the studio so it's nice to have a bit of company to talk to about it. It's a great location here, with a little grass in front of it and plenty of space to work."

David is painting at ground level as well as using ladders and will use a small cherry-picker for the tallest parts of the mural.

Russ Dowse, Business Director of Goodstuff, ITV’s creative media agency says:

“At Goodstuff we’re always looking at inventive ways to generate cut through and talkability for ITV programming. For Sanditon we took a classic outdoor format and gave it an original and engaging twist. By bringing live art and location together we hope to communicate the essence of the story in a unique and compelling way.”

  • David's artwork will be finished on Friday and left in situ until the end of September