GUY Portelli, a Kent based artist who appeared on Dragon's Den, is creating a mural to mark the 50th anniversary of the IW Festival.

The project, supported by Wightlink, is to create a five by eight-foot mosaic with the handprints of 200 performers who have played at the revived Festival since the inaugural event in 1968.

Wightlink is offering Guy free travel across the Solent on his regular trips to the Island during the project — especially during 'festival season'.

Artists who have provided handprints so far include Arthur Brown, Frankie Miller, Carl Palmer, Julie Felix, Mick Fleetwood and Roger Chapman, and Guy is in contact with numerous other artists to secure their involvement.

The handprints will have links to the four festival locations — Wootton, Godshill, Afton and Seaclose — and as a thank you to Wightlink, Guy will incorporate a ferry into the design.

Guy said: "My ultimate hope is that at some point a museum dedicated to the festival might be created on the Island and that this panel will have a permanent home.

"The Festival is of international cultural significance. People have travelled to the Island from all over the world to attend over the years and its positive impact on the Island should be recognised

"I am hoping the mural will be part of that process. It is already creating a lot of interest among past performers and we will be adding some more very big names in the near future."

Guy is working closely with the Festival archives from Dimbola Lodge and CameronLife Photo Library and is also liaising with a documentary crew with a view to having the project filmed.

Wightlink chief executive, Keith Greenfield, said: "This is a unique and highly creative project highlighting a series of events that are so important to the Island historic and contemporary cultural heritage. We are delighted to be part of it."