CREATIVE groups have banded together to promote the importance of green spaces in the borough’s ‘biggest visual art event’.

The eighth annual Wanstead Art Trail, which started on Saturday, September 9 and runs until Sunday, September 24, is run by professional and amateur artists showing work composed of mosaics, jewellery, photography and other materials.

Donna Mizzi, founder of Art Group Wanstead, the group running the trail, linked the “apt” theme for this year’s event, “Nature- A Breath of Fresh Air”, to current events affecting the area.

She said: “The theme choice has been particularly apt for Wanstead as parking restrictions and withdrawal of the green garden waste service could persuade local people to do away with their front gardens and to create paved drives.

“People generally don't realise the enormous value of their own patch of green. One main purpose of art is to make people think."

Art Group Wanstead wants to safeguard green areas to minimise pollution and prevent breathing difficulties.

Artists’ work will be displayed at 50 venues in and around the high street, including galleries, shops, estate agents and Wanstead tube station.

A mural painted by Katherine Poluck and Karen Humpage highlights herbs planted by Wanstead Community Gardeners.

Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society will also show their work at the tube station and Wanstead Community Centre.

Primary school children from Christ Church and Aldersbrook Primary Schools are also taking part.

The 16-day trail spanning three weekends also includes workshops, fairs and other events.

Art Group Wanstead was formed in 2010.