New trail with interactive oak sculptures opens

A new walking trail featuring interactive sculptures has opened in a village.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust has opened the route, which follows Stubskill Beck in Distington, near Workington.

Artist Daniel Weatheritt created a collection of five oak sculptures, called Riveting Rivers, which depict local birds, mammals and other elements connected to the area's heritage.

Each sculpture is interactive and features a working cog wheel which can be turned to reveal the different stages of a creature's life cycle.

Weatheritt said: "Interactivity is really important to me when developing my design ideas, and I want people to be able to do more than just look at the work."

He added the sculptures were his "most intricate woodwork creations to date".

The artist held a workshop with children from Distington Community School to get inspiration for the artwork.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust said it worked with landowners to rebuild fences and create a boardwalk along the 1.9 mile (3.1km) walking route.

The project is part of the trust's Watery Walks, a programme of self-guided walks encouraging people to explore their local rivers and landscapes.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust director Jodie Mills said she hoped the sculptures would help people discover something new about the environment around them.

She added: "Riveting Rivers is a brilliant example of how art can help people connect with a place, bringing together stories of wildlife, industry and the local community in a way that is fun and interactive."

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