Organisers of the second annual Art Trail Wanstead say they are aiming to bring more visitors to the area and increase trade for businesses ahead of its launch on Sunday.

The 16-day event, set up by Art Group Wanstead (AGW), has seen more than 70 shops sign up to display artwork including paintings, drawings and sculptures in their windows.

It will start with a “special” exhibition inside Christ Church in High Street which AGW chairman Donna Mizzi said will give the premises a “different dimension”.

There will also be a stone carving demonstration outside as well as some land art.

Ms Mizzi said there is a different feel to the trail this year with artists being given a bigger role in setting it up.

“Last year the decisions were made by a small committee of people but I wanted everyone to have a say,” she said.

“We don’t want the trail to have a strategy which it follows every year because we want different people with different ideas coming on board.

“We want to bring the talented artists we have in the area out into the public so their work can be showcased.”

Another improvement on last year’s event is a more detailed trail guide which Ms Mizzi described as “knockout”.

It is now 28 pages long and includes information on the businesses and contributing artists with pictures of their work.

“We wanted to make it easier for the public to find the artists they know rather than it just being a description of the shops,” Ms Mizzi added.

The booklet has been partly funded by the area one committee which provided �1,500 towards production and printing costs.

On Saturday actress Meera Syal, best known for her role in comedy The Kumars at No 42, helped promote the event by meeting AGW members at The George pub in High Street.