An anonymous art group have painted an ‘intimidating’ Deptford gate with blackboard paint to encourage the public to doodle on it in an experiment.

The collective, known only as Group 32, called the experiment ‘A Simple Act’ and are delighted that the chalk left behind was used to draw pictures, messages and colourful squiggles when they returned to the site the following day.

The team of six architecture students plan to do similar experiments across the capital following the success of Wednesday’s project which took place on Kings Dockyard, on the corner of Grove Street.

A spokesperson from the group said: "We are hoping that it will help make this intimidating wall and gate feel friendlier to the public but also make them think about what was, is and will be behind."