GREAT Malvern town centre could soon have its own permanent outdoor art gallery.

The move follows the success of the exhibition of photos by the Beacon Camera Club which was put up last September in Church Walk and outside Waitrose.

The exhibition was scheduled to last only a few weeks, but is proved so popular that the photos have remained in place since then.

Now Malvern Hills District Council, which helped organise the exhibition in association with Pulse Great Malvern and the camera club, is looking for permission to make the exhibition a permanent feature of the town centre.

The council is seeking consent to install 35 metal-framed lockable A1-sized poster display frames in Church Walk and by Waitrose.

Simon Smith, the council's economic development manager, said: "We've had a tremendous response to the Beacon Camera Club's exhibition.

"People have said how wonderful it is, and asked what other exhibits were planning. The club also says they've also had a terrific response including, more members.

"The special weatherproof cardboard used by the club to make their prints is quite expensive, but by installing these weatherproof lockable cases, we can exhibit works by a whole range of groups. We envisage putting on exhibitions by local schools and colleges, art or poetry groups, which s could be sponsored by local businesses."

The application states that the display frames will not be used for commercial advertising, but consent is needed because exhibition sponsors will want to display their logos.

The exhibitions are proposed to run for 12 weeks each, so a variety of groups get their turn and passers-by see a regularly-changing attraction.

Chris Marks of Pulse Great Malvern said: "We're delighted that the exhibition went so well, and look forward to the opportunity to make it a more permanent feature.

"As soon as we get permission, we will be taking action to secure funding."