AN unusual structure has begun to rise from the ground on the route of the Forest’s Sculpture Trail.

Threshold is a permanent new artwork being created by Natasha Rosling, which began life deep underground by casting the ancient walls of Clearwell Caves.

And the finished scuplture, which is due to be unveiled next Spring, will seek to bring to the surface the subterranean world beneath the Forest.

Construction has now moved to the Sculpture Trail where two walls are being built side by side to form a walk-through crevice, and which require the use of poured concrete layered in stages over a period of several weeks.

Cathy Mager, project director for the Beechenhurst attraction, said: “We are thrilled to begin work on this ambitious new artwork.

“We look forward to seeing visitors walking through the walls of Threshold and immersing themselves with its intriguing textures and colours when the sculpture opens in 2019.”

The sculpture has been commissioned by the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust in partnership with Forestry Commission England.

It is supported by funding from Arts Council England, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Forest and Tewkesbury LEADER scheme and the Garfield Weston Foundation.