A NEW exhibition has opened featuring one of Swindon's most famous names - Diana Dors.

The work by Anna Mazzotta is on display at Swindon Central Library and features oil paintings and charcoal sketches.

Swindon-born Anna said: “She’s always been an icon of mine. She was more than just a sex symbol, she was an actress and a true British icon who should never be forgotten.

“I’ve always loved vintage and cinema, it’s inspired my work - the theatre and glamour.”

Commenting on the works on display, she said: “I like the black and whites.

"I think the charcoal is more powerful. That’s my favourite medium.

"Although they’re not photographic I try to capture the essence of her in quite a simple way, and with charcoal I can do that.”

Diana’s son Jason Dors-Lake, 48, said he was a big fan.

He said: “My mother was a legend. Marylyn Monroe was America’s answer to Diana Dors. She was a very warm person and always had time for other people and never let it go to her head.”

He complemented Anna for her artistic eye, saying: “She’s got my mother’s energy on the canvas there. There’s lots of vibrant colours and my mother was a very vibrant woman so she’s captured that essence. It means a lot to me.”

Swindon mayor Cllr Maureen Penny said: “Aren’t we lucky to have a royal college graduate here. It shows how wide and far as a town we can go? Anna’s style is very akin to Beryl Cook but this is so much more vibrant than Beryl’s work. I normally like art deco which is my favourite. I love this because it’s so vibrant and lovely.”

Paul Goodhead, director and historian at Talking Pictures, an independent British archive film channel which regularly plays Diana Dors’ films, said: “Diana’s just as big now as she was then. We know there’s a great love for Diana out there. She means a great deal to us all and we love her.”

Anna is a successful artist and Royal College of Art graduate, one of the youngest winners of the Jerwood drawing prize and has exhibited her work in galleries around the world.

The exhibition is showing three oil on canvas and 17 charcoal on paper and will be open to the public until the end of June.