A SCULPTURE depicting a shoal of Arctic Char hand made in steel is the latest of the installations to take its place for the 2018 Lakes Ignite Festival.

Based at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where he works with his son George, sculptor Brian Fell has created many popular landmark sculptures on permanent display around the UK.

The Arctic Char is one of the Lake District's most notable examples of wildlife. The fish's presence in the lakes dates back to the Ice Age and its survival there is an inspiring example of conservation.

Six newly-commissioned, contemporary pieces of art are being installed at various locations across the Lake District in 2018 in response to the national park becoming a world heritage site.

The artworks, which include performance, sculpture, virtual reality and an inflatable installation, will form the programme for Lakes Ignite 2018.

Brian and George Fell's Arctic Chr is now in place outside the Salutation Hotel at Ambleside.

The Lake District National Park was awarded World Heritage Site status for its cultural landscape in July 2017 and the Lakes Ignite commissions are responding to the theme Cultural Landscape.

The artists are: Philip Stanier and the Strange Names Collective, Di Mainstone, Studio MUTT, Michael Shaw, Brian and George Fell and Charlie Whinney.

The visual art installations will be on view at different locations from January 2018 through to July 2018.

Aileen McEvoy, curator for Lakes Ignite, said: “The artists that have been selected have proposed really interesting, challenging commissions that respond to the theme cultural landscape in a thought provoking way.

"The artists' role is to encourage us to think afresh about the world around us. Each of the six artworks will present a fresh perspective on the heritage of Lake District. I hope they will spark conversations and return visits."

Usha Mistry, from Lakes Culture, added: “Lakes Ignite is about bringing together tourism and the arts. The Lake District has a defined culture, rich in music, theatre, poetry and painting. We want to show that Cumbria is also a great place to experience new contemporary culture and that the iconic landscapes of the Lake District continue to influence artists today.”

The installations will be located at venues including Langdale Estates, Rheged, Ambleside Salutation Hotel and Spa, University of Cumbria Ambleside campus, Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House and Grizedale Forest.