Seaton Town Council have bought a traditional red telephone box at Seaton Hole, which will be refurbished and repurposed.

Various ideas were discussed by councillors and then received an approach from artist - Simon Wellington who will use the box to sell his work.

The telephone box will become an honesty ‘shop’, selling Simon’s prints, cards and paintings of local landmarks and all proceeds will be donated to small local charities who often find it more challenging to raise funds that the larger national and international charities. He has previously exhibited in London, Southampton and Wells Cathedral.

After a career in teaching, Simon became a full-time artist and signwriter and, as the telephone box was outside his house, he kindly offered, with the help of the town council’s staff, to repair and repaint the box and it could be used as a way to raise funds for local charities.

The preparatory work of stripping back paintwork, cleaning, replacing some of the clear panels and repairing the door will be done by the town council’s staff. Simon will then complete the painting, adding gold leaf to the crown and fitting out the interior with a display panel and shelving.

Seaton’s Mayor, Cllr. Amrik Singh, said, ‘Seaton Town Council is pleased to be working in collaboration with Simon Wellington to deliver this asset for the town, whilst raising money for charity’.