A mural designed to highlight the dangers of plastic pollution in the seas has gone on display at the new visitor services centre in Hamilton.

The artwork, created by photographer Meredith Andrews from plastic waste collected from the island’s shoreline, was commissioned by the Bermuda Tourism Authority to emphasise the importance of a healthy Atlantic to the tourism industry.

Ms Andrews said: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

“People are enthused by the idea that you can take something ugly and disgusting like ocean plastic and make something beautiful out of it.

“I think the viewer identifies with it. I get really excited about that.”

Ms Andrews collects plastic waste washed up on shore and uses it to create artworks, then photographs them.

US TV station CNN reported on a holiday advent calendar she created last year and the publicity generated interest in her work, which she also posts on Instagram. The visitor centre piece was inspired by the original advent calendar and the BTA said the clean ocean message was in line with the “greener pillar” message in the national tourism plan.

Victoria Isley, the BTA’s chief sales and marketing officer, said: “With stunning pink sand beaches, spectacular coast-hugging trails and wildlife adventures like whale watching and scuba diving, Bermuda has a tremendous opportunity to become one of the greatest green-conscious destinations in the world, but she can only grasp this opportunity if her surrounding ocean is healthy.

“Meredith’s work will resonate with visitors who care about eco-responsibility while reminding all of us of the importance of healthy oceans.”

The Andrews mural is the first in a series of Bermuda-inspired exhibits which will be put on display in the Front Street visitor centre.

The centre is open from 10am to 4pm for most of the week, except Sundays. It will open until 8pm for Harbour Nights on Wednesdays.