An artist took his unusual self-made ‘flying machine’ for a spin before it came in to land in County Durham last week.

Local artists James Shepherd and Anna Harding made the unusual object ahead of a lantern parade through the County Durham village of Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, last December.

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The ‘machine’ was one of several lanterns and objects made by Shepherd and Harding with community groups in the village.

The Northern Echo: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No... it's the 'flying machine'!Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No... it's the 'flying machine'! (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The ‘flying machine’ has mechanical wings controlled by hand pulleys.

Artist James took his machine for a spin through the village on Thursday (February 16) before it was handed over to the local community for future parades.

The 'machine' is not believed to be capable of taking off or maintaining flight.

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It was made using funding from Barnard Castle-based arts charity Northern Heartlands, and the handover is said to have marked a culmination of four-years work.

The Northern Echo: The machine is not believed to be capable of flight.The machine is not believed to be capable of flight. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Northern Heartlands’ Director Jill Cole said: “It’s been a real privilege working with this community over a period of four years and seeing residents coming together themselves to make great things happen.

“We’ll still be keeping in touch and helping out if needed, but I’m confident that the people in Dene Valley have the skills to move forward on their own and be really proud of their community and the place where they live.”

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