Two new sculptures have been erected in West Bay to help coast path walkers – as well as looking good!

The art installations at East Cliff and West Cliff, created by Alice Blogg and Brendon Murless, are part of the artistic parish boundaries marker project, a phase of the Dorset Coast Forum's West Dorset Walker Welcome project.

A spokesman said: "The Dorset Cost Path is enjoyed by local people and visitors as a key way to experience and enjoy the stunning coastal landscape, sea views and numerous coastal communities through which it passes.

"The underlying geology and hydrology of the coastline result in a stunning topography which is subject to dynamic and sometimes rapid change, resulting in some difficult locations to navigate for the everyday walker. Many of these locations are found close to parish communities where the coast path is most popular. This project seeks to improve those locations.

"Parish boundaries markers provide welcome entry and exit points along the coast path, highlighting for the traveller passage through coastal communities."

Working with the Arts Development Company, eight local artists were commissioned in 2019 to develop 11 contemporary parish boundary artwork pieces to reveal to the walker where and when they pass from one parish to another when walking along the coast path in west Dorset.

These pieces are collaboration projects between the artist, landowners and craftspeople to produce artwork pieces that represents that particular parish boundary, using a range of materials such as stone, wood and metal.

The spokesman added: "This project has produced 11 unique, beautiful parish boundary markers demonstrating high quality expertise in both arts and crafts."

The parish boundary artwork pieces were planned to be installed at their locations by summer 2020. The pieces were created by the end of 2019, however, installations were delayed by wet weather and Covid-19 restrictions.