EALING Autumn Festival’s tribute to the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta was unveiled at the weekend.

Magna Carta Turns 800 is an exhibition of unique coloured paintings, which will be touring libraries across the borough as part of this year’s festival and was officially opened on Saturday at Ealing Central Library.

Visitors included the Deputy Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Dr Patricia Walker, with her consort Lawrence Walker, and councillors from the many ward forums which have supported the project.

Another visitor was MP for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq, who in the past worked at Ealing Central Library and knew many of the staff still there, as well as some of the young Magna Carta ambassadors.

The 26 paintings are based on the coats of arms of the 25 Magna Carta barons and King John and the exhibition is designed and organised by Diana Braybrook, a practising artist in west London, and tutor to the 4020 Art Group based at Hanwell Community Centre.

Group members have each contributed a painting to the event, which is inspired by the vibrant colours of medieval stained glass and the highly-decorative illuminated manuscripts of the period.

The young ambassadors will be on hand to discuss and explain the significance of the Magna Carta to visitors.

Festival artistic director Gillian Spragg gave a special vote of thanks to the ward forums across the borough for the funding they have given the project The exhibition continues at Ealing Central Library until July 4 and will then be shown at every library in Ealing until December 5.

See www.ealingautumnfestival.co.uk or ask at your library for more details.