DUNWOOD Park in Shaw is now home to a new natural wooden sculpture – inspired by the design work of a student from Oldham Sixth Form College.

The 8ft tall artwork, which incorporates a peace theme, has been carved from the trunk of a dead tree.

The idea of creating a tree sculpture was first planted four years ago by the Dunwood Park Working Group and Friends of Dunwood Park (FoDP).

The Friends carried out consultation with park users and 63 drawings and ideas were collected.

A design brief was then drawn up by Right Opportunities CIC and students from local colleges were asked to submit their ideas.

A judging panel made up of representatives from Oldham Council, FoDP, Peace Talks Oldham, The Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum, Right Opportunities CIC – all signatories of the Pledge to Peace – then picked the winning design.

They chose the artwork submitted by Sahira Bibi, a second year A-Level student at Oldham Sixth Form College.

As well as seeing her thoughts transformed into a sculpture Sahira, was also awarded with a £50 Amazon voucher for her efforts.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We’d like to say thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project and especially Sahira whose eye catching design inspired the finished sculpture. This beautiful piece of art can now be viewed by the thousands of visitors who use the park.”

Julie Birch, Sahira’s tutor and course leader for 3D Design and the Extended Diploma in Art and Design, said: “Projects such as this are invaluable opportunities for students. We are delighted that Sahira's entry was selected, and with the finished sculpture that has now been produced.”

The peace sculpture was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Javid Iqbal.

The idea for a peace theme for the sculpture was agreed after initial consultation work coincided with the ‘Peace Week’, organised by The Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum.

Funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Elegant Chainsaw Sculptures interpreted Sahira’s design and carried out the work.