AN internationally acclaimed Preston sculptor has been commissioned to create a striking walk-through work of art for a residential development at Salford Quays.

Charles Hadcock, 40, will produce a 15 tonne 6.5 metre long cast iron sculpture for urban living developer, City Loft Developments, to reflect the region's historic links with the Manchester Ship Canal.

The sculpture will be Mr Hadcock's first piece of work to be sited in the North West.

Although based at The Watermark, an art and design studio complex he owns in Ribbleton Lane, Preston, almost all of his work is situated in London and the South East including the 22-tonne Passacagalia sculpture created in 1999, situated on Brighton beach

This current sculpture entitled Adagio, will take about six months to create. City Loft bosses hope the piece will complement the apartment designs by award-winning Conran and Partners, Sir Terence Conran's architectural practice.

Mr Hadcock, (right) who lives in the Ribble Valley, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Art. He said: "Salford Quays is an exciting location, with world-class architecture and is an ideal setting for my work. I'm delighted to be creating such a piece of art for the North West.

"The Adagio sculpture is part of a main body of my work entitled Silent Symphony. It's a signature piece by me."

The sculpture is inspired by the canal and uses maritime and industrial imagery to describe the interaction of commerce and physical geography.