Inverness artist Sarah Barnes

Sarah Barnes will be among 14 Highland artists, writers and musicians trying to stir up interest in the regeneration of the city centre on 9 September.

The 24-year-old said organisers of Imaging the Centre first worried the title of her show might be offensive.

But Miss Barnes, whose work includes making underwear in papier-m�ch�, said her home city was on the up.

A steel sea eagle will also swoop on the city's Church Street during the day-long programme organised by Highland Council.

I have been home for a year now and to address that question - is Inverness pants? - I don't think so Sarah Barnes

Filmmakers and historians have also been brought on board to encourage residents to become involved in the city centre's �6m revamp.

The programme is being funded by the Inverness City Partnership with support from the Scottish Arts Council.

Miss Barnes, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in painting and works with children with special needs, said the title for her part of the event had raised some eyebrows.

She said: "When I went for my pitch there was a worry it might be offensive.

"That is not my intention, it is meant to be a play on words."

She added: "I have been home for a year now and to address that question - is Inverness pants - I don't think so.

"It is a city that is on the up and is changing a lot.

"Inverness is meant to be the fastest growing city in Europe and there is so much going on in the Highlands in music and arts."

In the end, event organisers stuck with the title and even dropped the question mark the artist had originally put on it.

A selection of the artist's work in papier-m�ch�

The full details of what her exhibition will entail are being kept under wraps to ensure an element of surprise, but the artist said it will involve underwear made from paper.

She said: "I just hope that it is not raining and I'm left with a pulpy mess."

Though she graduated in painting, Miss Barnes works with papier-m�ch� and acrylics using material possessions such as CDs and clothes as inspiration.

The aim of Imaging the Centre is to get residents interested in a project to regenerate the city centre, make it more pedestrian-friendly and install new lighting and art pieces.

There will also be sculptural installations, performance, audio art and murals.