A JIGSAW that has “preserved a snapshot of Thornbury” while raising £1,000 for charity has been unveiled in the town today.

The 1,000-piece artwork, designed by artist Richard Edwards, gave residents the chance to be part of the project back in the summer by signing a piece of the puzzle for a £1 donation.

The idea for the jigsaw came from Thornbury’s mayor, Cllr Helen Harrison, who said she wanted to find a fundraiser that would support the charities, while helping to introduce the “Thornbury Welcomes” theme of her second year as mayor.

Pieces were available to sign in Surroundings, Mr Edwards’ shop, as well as during Thornbury Carnival and at a number of schools, taking less than three months to complete.

The money raised will be split between Thornbury-based charities Brain Tumour Support, and aptly named Jigsaw, the latter being Cllr Harrison’s mayoral charity from her first year in office.

Unveiled today during a special celebrating at Papilio in Heritage, the display shows both the Thornbury design and a photography of the signatures in two frames.

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Representatives from the two charities, as well as members of the town council and other well-wishers were in attendance for the event, with New Siblands School Makaton choir performing a number of popular songs to help celebrate.

“It’s finally up and I am delighted it is,” said Cllr Harrison.

“So many people got so excited about it and were so supportive of the idea so it is lovely they can come along and try to find their name on the jigsaw.

“What I love is that it captures a snapshot of Thornbury in 2017 and we will have that forever.

“Having raised just over £1,000 on top of that is just fantastic.”

Mr Edwards added: “Everyone got really behind the idea that a lot of people could do a little, signing the pieces, rather than just a few people doing a lot.

“Word spread and people really stepped up in buying a piece. It really showed how easy it can be to raise £1,000.

“I’m very happy that it is finally up on the wall and that people can come and try to find their own signature and realise what they were doing was worth it.”

The display is set to travel from business to business, starting with Papilio, and moving on after Christmas.