Love is in the square for Valentine's Day in Portsmouth

ROMANTICS helped spread the love on Valentine's Day by writing messages of affection.

More than 100 pieces of artwork were drawn at Guildhall Square, in Portsmouth, with people declaring their love for husbands, wives, sisters, fathers, mothers and friends.

Portsmouth City Council organised the event and encouraged passers-by to write down their messages in chalk. By the end of the day, most of the square was filled with colourful hearts.

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Molly Tanner, from Fratton, wrote a message for her boyfriend Jack White.

She said: ‘I thought it would be a nice message to send to him, it is quite cute especially because it’s Valentine’s Day.’

Friends Claudia Kosteckha and Shkendia Mazreku, who are students at the University of Portsmouth, took part.

Claudia, 20, said: ‘This is a nice idea and something different. You couldn’t do something like this in a big city so it works well. It should be an annual thing.’

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Ana Guillen Bernal, 20, wrote her friend’s name in a love heart. She said: ‘I like it because people can send a message to anyone – it isn’t just for couples.’

Messages included people’s names surrounded by multicoloured hearts.

Foreign students were also drawing their flags and writing messages in their native language.

One of those was Stephanie Galarza from the Dominican Republic. The 24-year-old attends the University of Portsmouth. She said: ‘It is nice for families and friends to express their love.’

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While some declared loved for people, others had some fun with the event writing their love for sausages, pies and other food.

Scarlett Anderson, 18, originally from Essex but living in Portsmouth, said: ‘I was out shopping when I saw the drawings, I thought it was nice and wanted to add something.’

The council was happy with how the event went.

Heather Todd, assistant events manager, said: ‘We wanted to encourage people to spread the love.

‘The last time we did this was in 2009 so wanted to bring it back. We’ve had a great response.’