FIVE newly graduated artists have been commissioned to produce temporary works of art for the Bacup area.

Interested people attended the cricket club to hear how the Irwell Sculpture Trail will work and what is proposed. Project officer Cathy Newbery talked about the first bursary plan in Summerseat, which had artists working in the community.

The latest scheme allows Lorraine Berry, of Chorley, Kathryn Darbyshire, Fleetwood, Karin Gage, Rawtenstall, Malcolm Halliwell, Burnley, and Steve Hunt, Manchester, to design and site their work.

A permanent sculpture for the trail is also being created by Stephen Charnock, who is working with the local community. This will be in addition to 'Sentinel' by Jane Dunn, the sculpture on show in Bacup at Cowtoot Lane .

Adelle Robinson, assistant projects officer for the sculpture trail said: "We were very pleased with the number of people who can along.

"The trail is also going to feature on ITV's Watercolour Challenge before Christmas. The artists and crew filmed at Chatterton near Stubbins at the In the Picture sculpture by Richard Caink.

"We are expecting a rush of inquiries about the trail once it is shown on TV."

In the Picture comprises a large scale picture frame and several carvings that frame the view along the Valley.

Visitors can step in the picture both as viewer and subject matter and the frame refers to traditional landscape painting which was used in the 18th and 19th Century to display land ownership.

Funding for the sculpture trail, which follows the River Irwell from its source in Weir to Salford, has been provided by the National Lottery Arts Council for a further year, after which it is hoped to find other sources to continue the project.