A NEW piece of artwork has officially sprung up outside Redditch Town Hall.

The artwork is a tribute to the town's connection with the spring and wireform making industry and created by professional artist Tim Tolkien (relative of the famous JRR Tolkien).

The piece, weighing well over half a metric tonne, was officially unveiled in a ceremony last week with speeches from leader of Redditch Council Bill Hartnett, among others.

Councillor Pat Witherspoon, whose portfolio covers leisure and cultural services, said: "This amazing piece of art has been a long time coming, but oh my has it been worth the wait.

"Did you know there isn't a boat on the water, a car on the road, a train on the tracks, a plane in the sky, or even a rocket in space that doesn't have a spring in it made in Redditch? This piece is very fitting and we're proud to show it off."

The project initially began in 2010 when the council approached Heart of Worcestershire College to develop designs for the artwork from their students.

The entries were whittled down to just three before the winning design, by Kesia Taylor, was picked by a steering group made up of the council and local business representatives.

After a lengthy process to source a professional artist, put the relevant planning requirements in place and liaise with businesses interested in being involved, the project has now been completed.