Statues to dominate city skyline

The artist's image will be seen all over London

London's skyline will be transformed with 30 life-sized statues in a huge display by Antony Gormley, the artist behind The Angel of the North.

The statues of himself atop buildings and other tall points will highlight a show of his work at the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank from May.

They are all planned to be in the eyeline of visitors to the exhibition.

Last week, planners decided to allow 81 statues of Gormley to remain on Crosby beach in Merseyside.

"I'm trying to do something different with the London horizon," he said.

Body casts

Sites chosen include the Shell Centre, the National Theatre, Waterloo Bridge, King's College, Imperial College and Freemasons' Hall. Planning permission is being sought.

The sculptures, which Gormley makes from casts of his own body, are expected to remain in place until the end of the summer.

The display - Event Horizon - is one of London's most ambitious public art commissions.

Viewed from the vantage point of the Hayward, the works will be spread over a 1.5 sq km area, with some figures clearly visible and others sensed only as presences on the horizon.