A stone circle created by sculptor Antony Gormley has been unveiled at the British Library in London - 15 years after it was first commissioned.

The artist, who is best-known for his giant Angel Of The North on the outskirts of Gateshead, Tyneside, was first commissioned to create Planets in 1987 as a relative unknown when he won a competition.

But the project was held up by funding problems.

It was eventually put back on track after private sponsors were found.

Mr Gormley carved human figures into eight one-tonne granite boulders.

Swedish stone

The boulders were brought in from an icy Swedish plain.

The sculptor's 14-year-old daughter Paloma was among those who posed for the sculptures.

Antony Gormley earned the commission 15 years ago

The financial backers of the work - which stands in a courtyard directly in front of the library building in central London - include John Ritblat and the Henry Moore Foundation.

The boulders have been placed on eight empty plinths known as Poets' Circle.

Mr Gormley won the Turner Prize in 1994. As well as the giant Angel of the North overlooking a motorway in Gateshead, he has also created sculptures up oak trees and for DIY stores.