ONE of the world's top artists arrives in Radcliffe next week to explain the giant sculpture he is to create for the town.

The internationally acclaimed Ulrich Ruckriem has been commissioned to make a massive sculpture which will dominate the currently derelict Outwood Colliery and is expected to be a major boost for local tourism

The German artist will be introducing his work with a talk and slide show next Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Bridge Methodist Church Hall in Milltown Street.

The sculpture will form one of eight international commissions which will help make up some 50 projects during the next five years as part of the ambitious Irwell Sculpture Trail (IST). The trail is being funded by £2.3 million from the National Lottery.

"Successfully commissioning a sculpture from Ulrich is a real coup for Radcliffe and will put it on a par with major capitals and centres across the world where his work is normally exhibited," said Coun Warren Flood, chairman of the newly-formed IST partnership committee.

Although his work can be found in Berlin, Tokyo, Dublin and Barcelona, the Radcliffe project is unique as it will be Mr Ruckriem's largest work and his only one in this country.

Chairman of Radcliffe Renewal Advisory Committee, Coun Kevin Scarlett, has welcomed the injection of art into the town.

"Bringing an artist like Mr Ruckriem to the town is very important and his work will put Radcliffe very much on the map," he said.

"For local businesses there is a huge economic potential and I am sure that in years to come we will have many people here to see the sculpture and the area generally."

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