A New York artist is set to transform a neglected garden in the centre of Lancaster into a major public art venue. The large walled garden next to the Storey Institute Art Gallery has won funding to become an innovative public art centre featuring sculptures using rare breeds of fruit tree. Mark Dion, whose work weaves together history, ecology, archaeology and biochemistry, will create a tree of life from an orchard of fruits facing extinction.

The ambitious project has come about due to ArtTransPennine, a new collaboration between galleries in Liverpool and Leeds which has commissioned 70 artists from across the world to produce public art in urban sites.

Mark Dion has exhibited in Hamburg, Paris and Amsterdam and his work will be open to the public in the summer of 1988.

John Angus of the Storey Institute Art Gallery said: "We've been looking for a way to find a public use for the garden for sometime and this is perfect. It's a good size garden situated right in the city centre and will be enjoyed by local people and bring international visitors to Lancaster."

The orchard will include rare breeds of apples, plums and pears. Modern agriculture concentrates on a handful of varieties which means many breeds are neglected. It is hoped that the 'Tasting Garden,' which will also feature cast iron fruit replicas, will be a contemporary artwork involving conservation and biological diversity.

A set of steps next to the garden is currently the site of a public art venture, 'Dog Days' by Lucy Casson, which is turning the heads of passers by.

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