A power station, branded a blot on the landscape by many, has proved to be an inspiration to young artists.

Six 7ft-high wicker cooling towers have sprouted up in Wittenham Clumps, south Oxfordshire. They are described as 'installation art' in tribute to Didcot Power Station.

Community artist Laurence Potter said: "Using coppiced wood, children aged 12 to 14 created a mirror of the power station five miles away, complementing in a very natural way the modern industrial landscape."

Laurence and colleague Fin Lynch spent three days with youngsters from Wesley Green Middle School, Cowley, and special needs children from Mabel Pritchard School, Cowley, building the structures which are designed to link the past with the present.

It was funded with nearly £2,000 from the Arts for Nature charity which promotes nature. The project was based on the theme of man's influence on the environment.

The mini cooling towers are sited on Castle Hill, an Iron Age fort which Laurence said reflected man's influence on the landscape nearly 3,000 years ago. "As the public who enjoy public access to the Clumps walk around to the north-west facing side of Castle Hill, they are suddenly confronted by the power station - a striking example of modern man's influence on the environment and landscape," he said.

"Our aim was to help the children discover the countryside as a source of enjoyment and creative insp- iration."

By creating the temporary mini cooling towers with woven fresh coppice hazel, The children recycled natural materials and used methods dating back to the Iron Age to create their mini cooling towers.

The resulting sculptures, which are large enough for people to sit inside, should also provide interest and enjoyment for visitors to the Clumps for months to come.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.