A NEW sculpture for the Forest of Dean's sculpture trail is in the planning, inspired by an artist who has drawn links between the Afghan war, wars worldwide and the Forest's industrial heritage.

Hill 33 by David Cotterrell has been entered into the planning process and work, if given permission, should start in September. David, who spent time with a medical team in Sangin in Helmand Province and the capital, Lashkar Gah, says his work was inspired by the natural materials used to fill sandbags the world over.

Materials used to protect troops on operations across the world, but have never really been used to create art

"In Norway they fill them with snow, in Afghanistan they use sand and dust. I was also really interested in the fact that trees and coal and iron from the Forest were, basically, used to support war. As if they were filling the sandbags on the frontline."

His sculpture, Hill 33, will be filled with local coal spoil (not that there's a shortage) and will be used to form a sculpture which is intended, over the years, to become part of the landscape.

"There will be geotextile layers through the sculpture so that water can flow through and plants build up," says David, who hails from Essex. "In years to come I hope people will be surprised to come across something which seems to be natural, but isn't."

The sculpture is being funded by the Gloucestershire Environment Trust, Forest of Dean District Council, Forestry Commission and Hesco Bastion Ltd.