A new invention by a Swansea artist will allow people to see the works of Dylan Thomas - quite literally - under their feet.

A glass pavement slab lit from underneath contains kiln-fired glass objects depicting the poet's work.

Thomas was only 39 when he died

The one metre-deep slab is the brainchild of artist Katie Shaverein and is the first in a series of twelve placed around the city called the Dylan Thomas Glass Trail.

The art work will be unveiled by former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam in Swansea on Tuesday.

Although associated by many with the picturesque Boathouse at Laugharne in Carmarthenshire,Wales's foremost poet was born in Cwmdonkin Drive, in the Uplands area of the city in 1914.

The authorities have long promoted their links to Swansea and already have a Dylan Thomas Centre in the poet's honour.

Swansea council said the glass trail is part of the build up towards next year's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the poet's death.

Director of Culture and Recreation, David Evans, said: "The idea came from something we had seen in Hull with their fish trail.

Artist Katie Shaverein works with glass

"Since we have a world renowned architectural glass centre at Swansea Institute, we put the two together.

"We already have Dylan Thomas tourist trails around the city and beyond so this art work will continue to heighten his profile."

An exhibition which includes some of the writer's original manuscripts has already opened in Swansea.

Katie Shaverein included the pavement slabs as part of her university masters degree.

She said she was pleased with the outcome.

Patent

"It is nice to have a window in the ground you can look into," she said.

"The inspiration has come from Dylan Thomas's broadcasts, poetry and short stories.

"The block is airtight and waterproof and can withstand the weight of a vehicle across it.

"We have used the same sort of lights that are used in submarines."

The art work is also being patented so the concept can be used worldwide.