THE nation’s favourite postman is just one of the options being explored for an innovative sculpture in a South Lakeland park.

Postman Pat, whose adventures in Greendale were inspired by the life of a rural Cumbrian postie, could be the subject of a chainsaw sculpture at Abbot Hall Park at Kirkland in Kendal.

The sculpture would be created from the stump of large Beech tree near Abbot Hall and is being championed by the Kirkland Partnership –a pressure group of local businesses and residents aimed at promoting Kendal’s cultural quarter.

Coun Graham Vincent,who is a member of the group, said: “The idea of producing a tree sculpture out of the tree stump at Abbot Hall has been talked about for quite a few years now. However, nothing really happened so the Kirkland Partnership took it on and it is something we are actively exploring.

“There are no definitive designs or concepts yet,” he added.

Coun Chris Hogg gave his backing to the idea at a meeting of Kendal Town Council and said a tribute to Postman Pat would be a fun and fitting theme.

“Postman Pat has a strong connection to the area,” he said. “I think sculptures are a great asset to a town. Plans to create a statue of Alfred Wainwright made the national news and have helped put Kendal on the map.”

Celebrated children’s author John Cunliffe dreamt up the tales of Postman Pat and Jess the Cat while living at Greenside in Kendal in the late 1970s.

The picturesque location of Greendale was inspired by the winding lanes and rolling hills of Longsleddale.

Funding for the sculpture would come from Kendal Futures Board, which co-ordinates regeneration projects in the town.

Coun Vincent said the Kirkland Partnership would be delighted to hear of any other suggestions for the sculpture, adding: “We have a great community here and there is a lot of artistic talent in the area.”

If anyone has any suggestions they should send them to Brendan Jameson, the chairman of Kirkland Partnership, at b.jameson@southlakeland.gov.uk.