Artist's splash of colour provides a facade for city's closed shops

Overhead street banners and window vinyls in six empty shops in Whitefriargate have been unveiled by Hull-born artist Pinky.

The project, which celebrates Hull's maritime heritage and its role in the current Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, was commissioned by Hull Council and Hull Forward to revitalise what was once a premier shopping street.

The art is designed to represent the people and places involved in the Clipper fleet's global adventures, and Hull's status as host port in the biennial event.

The artist has renamed the street "Pinkfriargate" and said it would be "a colourful, fully immersive experience for everyone".

Hull Forward chief executive John Holmes said: "The Trinity Quarter, including Trinity Square, Whitefriargate and Princes Dock Street, is one of the city's most attractive yet underused assets.

"We are working on a number of measures aimed at driving footfall, spend and activity in this very special part of the city and I believe that this installation will be a major part of achieving this.

The 35,000-mile race is due to end in the Humber on July 17.