HUNDREDS of people took advantage of a family sculpture fun day, with professional artists on hand to help them create masterpieces.

The event was part of Durham County Council's Sculpture in the Park celebrations, in the grounds of County Hall, Durham.

Professional artists Vicky Holbrough, Mathew Hearn and Sarah Warden showed families how to use materials to create three-dimensional structures of animals, fish and other objects.

County council arts development manager Neil Hillier said: "It was a very successful day, with hundreds of people of all ages turning up. Some made sculptures, others carved faces and birds and bees."

An added attraction this year was a touring craft exhibition called TrailerMade -a caravan-based exhibition by Designed and Made featuring domestic, interior design by 20 artists, including Cath Bertola, Mandy Pattullo and Kathryn Hodgkinson.

Tenth Avenue Band, who play a mix of jazz, Latin, African, blues and ska music provided entertainment, along with Durham Constabulary Brass Band.

Sculpture in the Park runs until October and is funded by Arts Council England, the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and The Northern Rock Foundation.

It includes Sean Henry's Walking Man, Nicola Hicks' Snigger, portraying a young girl with a cat's head, Sophie Ryder's Pink Lady Hare Dancing with Big Brown Dog, and Michael Sandle's bronze Woman for Heidleburg.

Published: 20/07/2004