Residents invited to design statues for art trail

People across Staffordshire are being encouraged to get creative and design statues for a new public art trail.

The Staffy Trail will feature 10 large, 5ft (1.5m) sculptures of the county's new visitor mascot, Staffy - a Staffordshire bull terrier - which was created to mark this year's 10th anniversary of Staffordshire Day, on 1 May.

The trail will run for 10 weeks across Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Stafford and Lichfield.

People of all ages can submit up to three design ideas for the statues, with templates available online and at local libraries, the county council said

Three winning designs will be chosen and brought to life by professional artists for the trail.

The county council said it wanted designs that reflected what Staffordshire meant to local people, from pottery heritage and green spaces to local characters

The acting leader of the council, Martin Murray, said the trail would celebrate Staffordshire being "the beating heart of the country".

"Staffy gives us a fun and creative way for everyone to get involved.," he added.

"You don't need to be a professional artist; all you need is a great idea and a love for Staffordshire."

Arthur Barnard, chair of the local visitor economy partnership, previously said the trail would aim to boost tourism, support local businesses and showcase the county as "England's playground".

Designs can be submitted to the council or at any Staffordshire library by 2 March.

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