PROPOSALS for a huge artwork to add to the attractions at the Shildon Railway Village went before a panel of judges yesterday.

A nationwide search for a £90,000 landmark piece of public art in the grounds of the £10m attraction was whittled down to a final four, diverse schemes.

The brief for the artists was to entertain the 50,000 people a year expected to visit the museum, while underlining the historic significance of Shildon and its railway heritage.

Newcastle sculptor Andrew Burton, light artist Peter Freeman, of St Ives, in Cornwall, Lulu Quinn, a multi-media artist from Wiltshire, and Bruce Williams, an outdoor sculptor and photography specialist from Brighton, all presented their designs during a day-long meeting of the six-member selection board.

The public were asked for their views when the designs went on display last month.

A recommendation will go forward to the museum board over the next few days, and the winning design could be announced as early as next week.

Published: 09/01/04