Local heroes 'immortalised in art'

People in Leicestershire are being encouraged to nominate their local heroes to be immortalised in a new visual art project.

The chosen heroes will be cast into three steel figures, which will surround a wooden 'portrait bench' in Watermead Country Park, Wanlip.

They can be celebrities from the area or someone who works tirelessly for the community.

Created by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, the Connect2 scheme is funded by the Big Lottery fund and has already commissioned work elsewhere.

In Wales, comedian Rob Brydon and actor Richard Burton have been cast into steel, as well as a local park ranger.

Sustrans is one of the largest commissioners of public art in the UK.

Lesley Pendleton, cabinet member for environment and transport at Leicestershire County Council, said: 'It is fitting that people voted for Connect2 to receive the Big Lottery money, and now people will get the chance to choose who is immortalised on the commemorative portrait bench.

'Connect2 is an exciting project - we have already improved access for many residents and more is yet to come.'