THE finishing touches are being put to a project which will bring a unique Lowestoft fashion trend back to life this summer.A flamboyant suit which will be the centrepiece of an exhibition about the brightly-coloured suits worn by the port's fishermen in the 1960s was given its first outing last week.

THE finishing touches are being put to a project which will bring a unique Lowestoft fashion trend back to life this summer.

A flamboyant suit which will be the centrepiece of an exhibition about the brightly-coloured suits worn by the port's fishermen in the 1960s was given its first outing last week.

The replica lilac suit, with black trimming, has been tailor made in Norwich for the Dockside Dandies exhibition and had its first fitting on Friday as it was measured to fit Lowestoft College student Fred Hoffman.

The project is the brainchild of Lowestoft-born artist Peter Wylie, who has spent years researching the history of the suits worn by the fishermen in the early 1960s.

A parade in the town centre on Saturday July 10 will kick off the exhibition, with displays around the town from Wednesday 14.

Mr Wylie said: 'The suit, albeit unfinished, looked great and will really bring the exhibition to life.'

As well as the replica outfit which is currently being completed, an original 1960s fisherboy-style suit has been donated by Mike Burt, formerly of Lowestoft, who now works in the fashion industry in London and got in touch with Mr Wylie recently after reading about his project.

Another original suit also exists, and all three will be on show as part of the Dockside Dandies project.

Mr Wylie, who grew up in a Lowestoft fishing family, said he is hoping to find some young men from the town to help bring the suits to life in the celebratory parade.

He said: 'I want to invite 16 to 18-year-olds, perhaps those with fishing links, to put themselves forward to wear one of the suits in the parade.

'They will be filmed and photographed and will certainly get plenty of looks! I am hoping that this will help to bring the project into the community.'

Anyone who is interested in wearing one of the suits should email Mr Wylie at: eastofwylie@yahoo.com.

The exhibition, which has been made possible by National Lottery funding through Arts Council England, will be on show at various locations around the town so that it is accessible to as many people as possible.

From July 14 to 31, Dockside Dandies will be on display at Lowestoft College from 8.30am to 8pm, at Lowestoft Maritime Museum from 10am to 5pm, on the Mincarlo floating trawler museum from 10am to 3pm and also at the Marina Theatre, the Tourist Information Centre, Lowestoft Library and at Burton menswear in London Road North.