Interactive art lights up bridges

The interactive lights on the bridges will be a permanent fixture

A new interactive art exhibit has been unveiled in a Kent town with an added bonus for mobile phone users.

The two bridges in the heart of Maidstone have been lit up by Light Elements - a permanent display hanging from St Peters' and Maidstone bridges.

Members of the public can change its combination of colours and patterns by texting earth, wood, fire, water, metal or elemental to a nominated number.

Creator Peter Freeman said the lights were "stunning and very visible".

"Sometimes art is very in your face. Until you text message them these are quite subtle - they just articulate the bridge forms," the artist said.

"They've exceeded my expectations," he added.

Light Elements is part of Maidstone Borough Council's Elemental Project, which aims to bring contemporary public art to 12 sites along an area of the riverside stretching five miles (8km).