Falkirk Council has said construction work is to begin on The Kelpies programme.

The 10-week construction programme will see major pieces of the sculptures erected at The Helix.

The Helix is an ambitious project which will see land between Grangemouth and Falkirk transformed into an outdoor recreational area for locals, businesses and visitors.

The Kelpies are 30m-high horses heads and will dominate the section of the 350-hectare Helix site which sits between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the M9.

More than six kilometres and 600 tonnes of structural steel are being used to construct renowned Glasgow-based artist Andy Scott's creations and will be one of the UK's largest pieces of public art and the largest pair of equine sculptures in the world.

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The ears of the Kelpies alone measure over five metres high with the base for each head approximately 25m long and 10m wide - the size of a public swimming pool. More than 10,000 special fixings are being used to secure the 'skin' of the heads to the steel structures.

Welcoming the start of the construction work, Falkirk Council Leader Councillor Craig Martin said the Kelpies and the wider Helix complex would have a dramatic effect on the economy of both Falkirk and Scotland.

He added: "We have already witnessed some dramatic changes on the Helix site over the past few months as the Helix Park and lagoon have taken shape and the contractors have started to mould the access routes and paths which will make this exciting development an integral part of the Falkirk community.

"The £43 million Helix project will provide Falkirk with its second major tourist attraction and the thousands of people who pass the site on a daily basis by road and canal will soon see for themselves the impact these massive sculptures will have on the landscape.

"We are witnessing the beginning of something special for the Falkirk area and our investment and vision here will pay dividends for the area for many years to come."

The Helix project is being driven by a partnership led by Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals.

(JP/MH)