Cardboard landing-craft sculpture to honour D-Day

The 39ft (12m) sculpture will be unveiled at the end of June

A cardboard sculpture of a life-sized landing craft is set to be unveiled in Scarborough later this month.

The sculpture, created by the Animated Objects Theatre Company with the help of local people, is being built to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Throughout June, schoolchildren and community groups are taking turns to help build the 39ft (12m) sculpture.

It is set to be displayed at Scarborough's South Bay on Armed Forces Day on 29 June.

Armed Forces Day will see thousands of people visit the seaside town to watch air displays, parades and performances.

Lee Threadgold, artistic director at the Animated Objects Theatre Company, said he "couldn't wait" to see visitors' reactions to the sculpture.

“We’re always amazed by the enthusiasm shown by participants and visitors to our larger-scale sculptures at the Armed Forces Day events, and this year is going to be our biggest to date," he said.

“It’s a huge effort to build something like this using only cardboard, and we can’t thank the workshop participants enough."

Lee Threadgold said he "couldn't wait" to see visitors' reactions to the sculpture

Previous Armed Forces Day events have seen the company create life-size tanks and soldiers from cardboard.

This year, World War Two veteran Ray Whitwell, aged 105, will be a guest of honour at the event.

Mr Whitwell, who is originally from Malton but now lives in Scarborough, was conscripted into the army in 1939.

He was sent to Belgium as a lorry driver delivering fuel to the front line, and in 1940, he took part in the defence of Dunkirk. The following year, he fought as a paratrooper in North Africa and Italy.

Community groups have helped build the sculpture which is being created to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

“I always knew that I was coming back," said Mr Whitwell. "I took every bit of precaution, like taking cover - which I thought was common sense.”

He insisted he does not see himself as a hero, adding: “I’m just ordinary.”

Reflecting on this year's celebrations for Armed Forces Day, North Yorkshire Council’s chief executive, Richard Flinton, urged visitors to come to the event to view the "fantastic sculpture", adding that the day provided an important occasion to think about those who serve.

“With this year being the 80th anniversary of D-Day, it is an opportunity to reflect on how much those who serve in the forces sacrifice for us, and the stories of veteran Ray Whitwell really drive that message home," said Mr Flinton.

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