A SCULPTURE trail featuring works by leading artists has been launched to celebrate a town's flock of swifts.

The artworks, which were commissioned by the Masham Arts Festival team, have been installed near historic buildings and in usual places around the town in a trail devised by Josie Beszant, who runs Masham Gallery.

The migratory birds, mentioned in various historic anecdotes and stories about Masham, arrive in town at the beginning of May each year and use holes and crevices in the town’s buildings to breed before leaving in August to return to Zaire, Tanzania or Zimbabwe.

A spokeswoman for the scheme said: "The swifts are a very welcome and strong symbol of the changing seasons and the cycle of visitors to Masham.

"They are astonishing creatures and hold screaming parties when flocks of birds circle in the Market Place, uttering cries at two different pitches.

"With their characteristic swept wings, soaring flight and screaming song, they are a heart-lifting sight on a Masham summer evening."

A trail leaflet, highlighting the locations of the metal, stone and recycled material artworks by Yorkshire sculptors Michael Kusz, Jennifer Tetlow, Katherine Dereli, Adrian Wood and Gaynor Pearson will be available from the Masham Community Office.