A NEW wooden bench carved with an assortment of bugs has been unveiled in the grounds of an East Lancashire museum and art gallery.

The specially-commissioned artwork created from a former tree from the park has been donated by a local running club.

It marks the meeting point of the Baxenden Running Bugs in the grounds of Accrington's Haworth Art Gallery in Manchester Road.

The bench was created from a 100-year-old tree in the surrounding park which had to be felled due to suffering from Ash Dieback disease.

Funded by the club’s charitable collections and created in partnership with local artist Rick Goodwin of Stump Art it is now available for the local community to enjoy in coming years.

Lee Taylor, chairman of Baxenden Running Bugs, said: “There was ever only one location for this bench and that is the place the club calls home and that has been the main meeting point since the club was initially founded.

"The club, gallery, and parks staff at Hyndburn Council fell in love with the sentiment that this tree had stood in Haworth Park for over 100 years and it would go back into Haworth as the park’s first carved bench for gallery locals to sit and view the beautiful park.”

Every year Baxenden Running Bugs collect money from their members to donate to a local cause with previous years seeing thousands of pounds donated to charities including The BeeHive Project, East Lancashire Hospice, and Air Ambulance.

The club members raise cash through social events, raffles, and a monthly charity run where all members run together.

Last year the group decided to use the money to pay a Bugs themed carved bench for the community.

Baxenden Running Bugs was established seven years ago by members of Baxenden Slimming World who decided to complete the NHS ‘Couch to 5k’ programme.

Its main focus remains to get beginners into running by offering a fun, friendly and supportive environment where everyone is welcome.

Currently there are five groups to choose from covering different abilities and distances from beginners to marathon runners.