'UK's largest' bronze sculpture arrives in Plymouth

A huge bronze sculpture, believed to be the largest in the UK, has arrived outside the Theatre Royal in Plymouth.

Messenger, a 7m (23ft) tall and 9m (30ft) wide woman in a crouching position, was driven through the city on a flatbed lorry.

The 10-tonne sculpture, designed by artist Joseph Hillier, was paraded into the city on a barge earlier.

Mr Hillier said he had been inspired by the movement of an actor rehearsing at the theatre.

The sculpture's name refers to the "pivotal" role of a performer to "breathe life into words", he added.

It is part of a £7.5m regeneration project.

The sculpture has arrived at the Theatre Royal, but won't be officially unveiled until Friday

Messenger in numbers

• The sculpture is 7m (23ft) high, 8.7m (29ft) wide and 5.5m (18ft) deep

• More than 200 individual bronze panels were combined to make the crouching pose

• Thirty craftspeople have worked on the construction

• It weighs 10 tonnes

• And cost an estimated £450,000

About 30 craftspeople were involved in the sculpture's creation

The theatre said: "We wanted to do something bold that reflected the creativity that is at the heart of the Theatre Royal.

"It will create a unique landmark for the city and strengthen its cultural offering.

"In time, it may become one of those iconic statues that destinations become forever associated with."

When it is in place, visitors will be able to walk between Messenger's legs "into the theatre, like an archway".

The Theatre Royal said it was "by far" the UK's largest bronze sculpture by volume, at 25.6 cubic metres.

More than 200 bronze panels were welded together by "master craftsmen and women" in Wales