Jaw-dropping murals have been painted on the side of 17 buildings across a Kent town.

Seaside properties in Margate have become canvases for multi-story sharks, seals, turtles and seahorses as part of project called Rise Up Residency.

The team behind the scheme found the sites for the permanent artwork following conversations with residents and Thanet District Council.

One of the people leading the campaign, Amy Cook, hopes the paintings will bring about change in the policies surrounding coastal waters.

“My hope is that the Rise Up Residency, can help to usher in an era where Margate becomes single-use plastic free," said Ms Cook.

"Just cleaning up what people leave behind isn’t enough.

"We need genuine systemic change that looks to eliminate the problem at the source."

Lead artist Louis Masai wants the pieces to raise awareness of the issues being faced along the county's coastline.

He hopes the scheme is replicated in other coastal towns.

Central Margate councillor Rob Yates, whose ward is home to a number of the murals, believes the campaign will highlight calls for "cleaner beaches and clear streets".

"I think it's a brilliant initiative," he told KentOnline.

"They’re planning to do some litter picks around Margate in the next week or two as well.

"It’s a really clever way of engaging the community in something positive."

Each mural is partnered with a different NGO, foundation or environmental agency working on marine science.

Mr Masai's piece, which depicts a dogfish inside a plastic bottle, is associated with Minorities in Shark Science, a group researching oceanography and shark science.

It means the NGO is free to use Masai's painting to promote their own work.