AN internationally-renowned sculptor has returned to his home town to win a commission at a local business park.

John Atkin, who has completed a number of commissions across the UK and has exhibited in Europe, Australia and America, has already completed his initial designs for a special sculpture on behalf of developer City & Northern.

It will stand at the entrance to Morton Palms Business Park, in Yarm Road, Darlington.

The bid process was overseen by Commissions North, and the Arts Council has provided the money for the design stages of the sculpture. City & Northern will fund the rest of the work.

Originally from Darlington but now living and working in London, Mr Atkin has won a range of awards from organisations such as the British Council and the Royal College of Art for his work.

The Morton Palms sculpture will be a powerful, stand-alone piece, probably made of steel.

Cath Cannon, City & Northern's marketing director, said: "John Atkin was the ideal choice for this commission and his enthusiasm for the project was outstanding. He was extremely keen to put something back into the area he is originally from and this seemed the ideal opportunity."

Mr Atkin said it had long been an ambition to produce a significant piece of work in his home town and that he was thrilled to have been given the opportunity.

The sculpture at Morton Palms will be officially unveiled in May 2005.

It was annonced last month that the first two buildings on Morton Park had been completed. The two blocks, together providing 71,000 sq ft of space with 245 parking places, have been built by Metnor Construction. City & Northern has invested £10m in the project.