IT took a bit of steel from Keith Anthony to turn his vision of a work of art into reality, on behalf of his fellow Derwentsiders.

The Dipton sculptor took nearly a year to make his steel sculpture which will be presented to Consett's German twin town of Werdohl - also a steel area - on its 900th anniversary.

On a visit last year, Mr Anthony, a member of the Werdohl-Derwentside Friendship Club, learnt that the Krupp factory in the German town manufactures Euro coins.

During manufacturer there is a waste product - a chromium steel washer, which is usually recycled. But Mr Anthony asked for 900 of them to be sent to him in Dipton.

Working with Ian Gaskill, fabrication and welding co-ordinator from Derwentside College, and students from the college, Mr Anthony overcame a number of technical difficulties to create his sculpture.

The finished work, named High as a Kite, contains all 900 washers, each one representing a year in the life of Werdohl. It will be presented to the German town later this year and will remain at Derwentside College in the meantime.

Mr Anthony said: "I could not have realised my idea without the help of Derwentside College. This should make a wonderful commemorative gift to our friends in Werdohl."