WELL blow me down! But not if you sit in this strange structure -- the latest in the lengthening list of Blackpool's weird seafront works of art.

It's a unique swivelling wind shelter designed to combat the age old problem of how to stay out of the wind in Blackpool.

The design is one of the entries in a competition held by Blackpool Borough Council after the authority came up with the idea of erecting wind-activated shelters on the South Promenade. The brief was to design a rotating shelter driven by a vane pointing into the prevailing wind and providing constant shelter from the wind.

"We wanted three shelters to fit in with the artwork ethos of the Promenade and recognised the problem of shifting winds," explained Coun David Owen, portfolio holder for culture and leisure. The shelters are expected to be built close to the controversial artworks erected last year on the seafront.

"The concept of the swivelling shelter was hit upon and that really appealed to us because it would encourage people to sit longer, read a newspaper or just admire the view in the lea of the wind and any passing showers."

The council linked up with the Royal Institute of British Architects to launch a national competition.

Eighty-two entries were received from all over the country and are on display at The Gallery at the Globe at Blackpool Pleasure Beach until August 11.

The winner was Ian McChesney, an architect working with Atelier One who explained: "Our approach was to simplify the shelter and vane sections into one single twisting element, expressive through its simplicity."

Funding for the project has been provided by the North West Development Agency, Lancashire Tourism Partnership, the New South Promenade Hospitality Group and Blackpool Challenge Partnership.

Tourism Minister Kim Howells made a presentation to the winners when he toured the resort last week.