City aspires to lofty public art

The spire has been funded by an anonymous benefactor

A spire which will be the tallest piece of freestanding public art in the UK is being put up in Nottingham, university officials say.

The work entitled "Aspire" will be unveiled at the University of Nottingham's Jubilee campus on Monday.

The 60m (197ft) tall steel structure cost about £800,000 and has been funded by an anonymous benefactor.

The university says it delivers the message that it wants people to "aspire" to a world-class education.

'City ambition'

University officials say the sculpture will be 40m (130ft) taller than the Angel of the North and about 30m (98ft) taller than Nelsons Column.

It was named following a competition between the university's 6,500 staff and 36,000 students.

Professor Sir Colin Campbell, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said: "I think 'Aspire' has strength, elegance and real purpose.

"It captures the essence of our research across all of the academic disciplines - we aspire constantly to solve problems, devise solutions, improve health, achieve greater understanding, enrich culture.

"And it conveys the ambition of our city - which aspires to greater prosperity, more highly skilled and knowledge-based employment, improved educational standards and an excellent quality of life."

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The making of the country's largest piece of art