American town's cheesy prank

Seven tons of cheese will be used to cover the house

What would you do to promote a cheese festival soon to be held in your local town?

Paint a house with the stuff - at least that is the case with New York artist Cosimo Cavallaro.

The town of Powell hopes the stunt will put their small town on the map

Mr Cavallaro started the daunting task on Monday, and plans to unveil the finished exhibit on 27 October, the day of the festival.

To help the residents of Powell, Wyoming, deep in the heart of America's West, celebrate their annual 'Cheesefest' festival Mr Cavallaro plans to cover a vacant house with more than seven tons of cheese.

Previously he claims to have painted an entire hotel room and even former model Twiggy with the food.

Media interest

The stunt is just one of many activities the town is planning for their festival.

There will be a cheese parade, cheese-themed karaoke songs and even a king and queen of the Cheesefest.

Media interest has been considerable, and local authorities are hoping that Mr Cavallaro's 'art' will put the town of Powell on the map.

Local paper The Powell Tribune quoted city official Sharon Earhart as saying the local government had received calls asking if the plan was merely a prank, however she claimed it was all meant in good taste.

"Most of the people see the fun of it," she said.