A HIDDEN artwork which is being slowly taken over by nature is to be restored.

The 300-metre long Lambton Earthwork was created in 1988 by renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy alongside part of the Coast-to-Coast cycleway near Chester-le-Street.

The serpent shape at South Pelaw was created using spoil from the local pit to represent the legend of the Lambton Worm, a monster which roamed the local countryside.

Over the years, the earth has sunk to become part of the local landscape and self-sown trees have grown into the structure, while pools of water forming around the earthwork have begun to attract wetland wildlife.

It is now so overgrown that few of the 15,000 visitors who use the 140-mile cycle route know it is there.

Volunteers will now work with Sustrans North East Land Management to begin careful restoration of the structure, making the artwork more accessible while maintaining existing habitats.

Gina Clarke, Sustrans Land Manager said: “Many local people do not realise that the artwork is there, as it has evolved and changed to become part of the landscape.

“We hope to carry out some sensitive restoration work over the next few years with volunteers to make the artwork more accessible, whilst ensuring that the many wildlife habitats that have developed around the structure remain undamaged.”

Volunteer events are planned to remove overgrowth of trees and scrub, and make minor repairs to access paths to ensure the sculpture remains accessible.

Anyone interested in taking part is asked to contact sarah.roe@sustrans.org.uk or visit www.sustrans.org.uk