Work is due to begin on a giant sundial which, it is claimed, will be the world's largest timepiece.

The 40-metre-high pyramid being built close to the M1 motorway in north Derbyshire.

Its situation means it will be visible to 45,000 drivers a day when it is completed later this year.

It is hoped the sundial pyramid will be officially opened on 21 June, the longest day of the year.

Spinning Earth

The sculpture will be the centrepiece of a newly-created country park and visitor centre on a former colliery site at Poolsbrook, near Chesterfield.

When completed the solar-driven machine will act not just as a sundial but also give details of the Earth's rotation.

The giant steel pyramid will be the height of eight double-decker buses, more the twice the height of the Angel of the North.

The project was conceived and designed by architect Richard Swain and artist Adam Walkden, both from Derbyshire and will cost an estimated �1.2m.