TWO life-size sculptures representing a modern-day walker and one from the 1920s, have arrived in Prestatyn.

The female figures, which look out to sea, have been installed at the Hillside shelter close to the bottom of the road up to Gwaenysgor.

The 1920s sculpture marks the era the shelter was built, while the modern-day rambler is intended to represent the Offa's Dyke National Trail.

The works – commissioned by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - were carved by chainsaw artist Simon O'Rourke, from Rossett, near Wrexham.

Mr O'Rourke, 39, said: "Each sculpture was created in under three days. I loved the idea and worked from old photographs to inspire the costume of the lady and tried to give the rambler and the lady a distant gaze to suit the location.

"The biggest challenge was to make the sculptures with hands at the right height to sit on the balustrade, and to make them strong enough to withstand being in a public environment.

"I installed the sculptures myself. It was great to see them in position and very rewarding to hear the great feedback I had from the locals."

Mr O'Rourke has created more than 70 sculptures in the last year, ranging in size from small to large. Some are private commissions, but the larger ones tend to be public commissions.

Gareth Davies, town councillor for Prestatyn South West and also a county councillor, said: "The sculptures are part of the works recently undertaken to improve the shelter at Hillside Gardens.

"The sculptures were installed last week and take the form of two figures standing on the viewing platform of the shelter, looking out to sea.

"One figure is a modern day walker, representing the Offa's Dyke National Trail, and then there is a figure from the 1920 reflecting the period the shelter was built."

The improvement works to the shelter have been carried out with funding from Denbighshire County Council’s Town and Area Plan (TAP) funding, Natural Resources Wales, Prestatyn Town Council and the Burbo Bank offshore wind farm.

The above organisations have worked with the local Offa’s Dyke Support Group on the project.

Cllr Gerry Frobisher, mayor of Prestatyn, said: "The Hillside Gardens and look-out is an iconic structure that has been overlooking Prestatyn for around a century.

"I think it is has been an exciting project bringing 100 years together through the two sculptures.

"Living in Prestatyn, many people take the lookout for granted.

"I have been taking my children up there for years and hope now that they are adults will continue to enjoy the view of Prestatyn across Rhyl and the surrounding coast."

The new sculptures join several others situated throughout the town.