SUNSEEKERS could soon be joined on Chalkwell Beach by a striking art sculpture, standing two metres tall in the water.

The temporary project, made up of 15 wooden posts with painted resin sculptures fixed to the top, will form just a small part of the Estuary 2021 festival later in the year.

The posts, which could feature at the beach, off Chalkwell Esplanade, Westcliff, will stand in the tidal sands for beachgoers to see.

Southend Council is now considering a planning application for the plan to showcase striking art on the beach.

Colette Bailey, artistic director at arts and culture group Metal - which is behind the project - says the exciting event is one the group have been working on for the past three years.

About 60 pieces of work, including a “sound mirror” almost 10ft tall at Shoebury East Beach, are set to be available for audiences in the 23-day event which will start on May 22.

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Ms Bailey said: “We’ve actually had a number of different planning applications in over the last few months, it is very exciting.

“But this project at Chalkwell Beach is part of a much bigger story. 

“The festival is set to include temporary installations, immersive audiovisual performances and GPS located works. Film and specific walks and tours will also be featured.

 “We’ve arranged it around walking so people who live locally can still enjoy it on their daily walks and exercise.

“It just makes things a little bit different, or might even encourage people to get active.

“It should be really exciting for people to come and see.”

The Estuary 2021 festival - reimagined as a 107-mile walk - will celebrate and acknowledge the lives, landscapes and histories of the spectacular Thames Estuary. 

Taking place on the river itself and along the South Essex and North Kent coastline, its ambitious programme of artworks and events will take place in various locations.

These include Gunners Park and Shoebury East Beach. Southend Pier and Southend High Street, as well as Chalkwell Park and Chalkwell Beach.

The full Estuary 2021 programme is set to be announced in March.