Murals in the style of saucy seaside postcards are being used to brighten up an historic building in Harwich.

The five colourful life-sized paintings, depicting buxom ladies in bathing suits and jolly gentlemen with knotted handkerchiefs on their heads, were yesterday unveiled at the 1912 Centre, located on Harwich sea front.

Owners of the outbuilding, Harwich Connexions, commissioned local artist and signwriter Bryan Rowland to carry out the work due to the building’s important position in the historic core of the town. Originally the town’s fire station, the 1912 Centre now serves as a 26-bed hostel for groups visiting the area.

Executive co-ordinator for Harwich Connexions, Debbie Rotchell, said: “For security reasons the building had to be boarded up, which has made it look rather unattractive, however these new murals will certainly add some fun and colour to the area. We feel due to the important location of the building – which sits in a designated conservation area, close to the Lifeboat Museum and just yards from the sea front – the responsible thing to do is to improve its look.

She added: “There is a good chance some will see these images as slightly controversial but we feel they are completely fitting with the area and are perfect for this building. On the whole we are confident the murals will prove to be popular and will hopefully attract more people to this part of the town.”