IMAGES of the final glories and gradual decay of Colchester United’s former home have gone on display.

Rebirth Through Decay is an exhibition, organised by art group Slack Space, featuring photos and video footage of the old Layer Road ground and images of the building of the new Community Stadium.

The centrepiece of the exhibition, which runs until Sunday, in an empty shop in Long Wyre Street, Colchester, is one of the turnstiles though which fans entered Layer Road.

The photos of the old ground were taken by Dave Buckingham, who commentates on U’s games for Hospital Radio Colchester.

He said: “I wanted to document what happened to the ground in its last season, showing it at its best – during the games – and how it has since fallen in to disrepair since. It looks really sad now. On the Barside, you can hardly see any of the concrete, because so many weeds have grown through.”

Dave, 31, of Drury Road, Colchester, said: “I just started taking pictures as a personal project and it’s grown from there. I always intended to display them and Slack Space has provided an opportunity.”

Slack Space’s Will Wright thinks Dave’s pictures have “a real beauty and narrative to them” which he hopes may attract new people to contemporary art.

The group was set up to display art in empty town centre shops as a way brightening up the streets. Mr Wright added: “We’ve had more than 4,000 visitors in the three months we’ve been at this shop and have been very well received.”