A SCULPTURE symbolising re gen eration in Weardale has been dedicated by the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright.

The Bishop performed his first official duty as patron of the Weardale Society, who commissioned the work with funding from the Arts Council.

Crafted out of distinctive black Frosterley marble and iron, the 8ft high sculpture was designed and created by artist and blacksmith Adrian Wood and sculptor Keith Murray at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope.

Paul Allison, whose Sherburn company owns Broadwood Quarry in Frosterley, gave the marble.

Dr Wright said: "Weardale has been through a lot of hard times over the last years, both in industry and the farming community.

"There is a lot of energy and a lot of life in this sculpture and, for me, it is a symbol which Weardale could use right now. We can take inspiration from a piece like this."