Up-and-coming artists from Croydon College will be battling it out to see their work grace the entrance of the new John Lewis in Purley Way.

More than 50 students are expected to enter a competition launched by the company to find an At Home themed piece to decorate the 40,000 sq ft store, which opened last month.

Branch manager Glynis Gunning-Stevenson said: “Many customers will be familiar with the Barbara Hepworth sculpture ‘Winged Figure’ over the door of our Oxford Street branch which was first installed in 1962 and has now become a recognised feature.

“Now we want to celebrate local art and design in our new at home shop on the Purley Way.

“We’ve set the students at Croydon College a challenge to create something that will be displayed in the new shop and I’m looking forward to seeing the entries.”

Croydon College fine art lecturer Chrissie Morrison said the opportunity had been built into one of the course modules, meaning entries will go towards students’ final degree mark.