AN impressive piece of new art will be unveiled in the heart of Radcliffe next week.

In The Bulrushes is a £15,000 sculpture in galvanised steel by artist William Pym.

It was inspired by the nearby Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, having bulrush motifs, a canal barge hidden in the bottom and illumination to transform the sculpture at night.

The official turning on ceremony will take place at 7pm on May 4 with Mr Pym and Councillor Barry Briggs, the chairman of Radcliffe Area Board, present.

Coun Briggs said: "It is important not only in focussing attention on the canal, but also in helping to develop Radcliffe as a centre for cultural tourism." The sculpture, on Wolsey Street, by the new Britannia Mills development, has been paid for by the Irwell Sculpture Trail and Irwell Valley Housing Association and is the second work of public art commissioned for new housing developments in the town.

The first, Nailing Home by Jack Wright, stands on Smyrna Street. The huge nails have certainly made an impression on residents and visitors to the town.

In fact, Mr Wright will give a talk on his sculpture at 6.45pm on Friday, immediately before the unveiling.

Cathy Newbery, projects officer for the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail, said: "In The Bulrushes is an important piece of quality art which will enhance the area and encourage people to take pride in their surroundings."

In order to set it off to its full advantage, British Waterways have spent recent weeks giving a £2,000 clean-up to the nearby stretch of canal.