YOUNGSTERS at a Bolton primary school are branching out to create a sculpture with a difference . . .

Five and six year olds at Eagley Infant and Junior Schools were commissioned to create their work of art in the memory of a famous Bolton family name.

They decided to work in willow with craftsman Jeff Allan to create an eagle - the school's logo - in a willow sculpture.

The frame is made of copper, but Jeff and the children will create feathers and facial details from willow.

Headteacher of the Infant School, Mrs Maureen Kershaw, said: "Weaving is part of the school curriculum and the children will be helping Jeff. They are doing very well. When the sculpture is finished it will be suspended in the hall."

The sculpture has been commissioned by the Markland family. Their name was a familiar one in Bromley Cross until recently when the plant housing the family's engineering company, TI Markland, was pulled down.

The commission has been made to keep the name alive in the area, and a plaque in commemoration of the Marklands will hang next to the sculpture when it is finished.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.