Budding student artists are one step closer to seeing their work of art grace College Roundabout in Kingston.

A public exhibition was held in Market House on February 11 and 12, where the designs of more than 250 students from Kingston College and Kingston University were showcased for the first time.

Ballot boxes at the exhibition allowed visitors to vote for their favourite entrant and this people's choice was added to a shortlist of 14, seven from the college and seven from the university which the council's public art panel will start considering on Monday, February 25.

The project encouraged students to use their imagination to enhance the roundabout, one of the key gateways into the town centre, as part of the K+20 proposals to rejuvenate Kingston.

Caroline Kearey, conservation and design manager at Kingston council, said the exhibition was a "fantastic success" and reassured students that the opportunity isn't a pipe dream.

"We had a lot of positive feedback from the public at the exhibition which we were very pleased with.

"We will work with the shortlisted students to take their designs to the next phase by looking at detailed costings and addressing any safety concerns.

"There will be a final selection process where one design will be chosen. The money is there and has been allocated to Kingston's gateways and College Roundabout."

A Kingston college spokeswoman said: "I think it is absolutely vital that the students feel part of the community.

"Young people are full of enthusiasm and want to contribute. It is fantastic one of them will have the opportunity to see their design become a reality."

See the Surrey Comet and yourlocalguardian.co.uk next week for details to see details of the shortlisted designs.