UNIQUE sculptures celebrating links between Pendle and its twin town in France are set to be exchanged to celebrate the borough’s 40th birthday.

Acclaimed French artist Joel Couloigner is bringing the new sculpture over by lorry from Creil with help from Emmanuel Vanaudenhove who teaches sculpture in the town.

Both have collaborated in making the new artwork for Pendle. It will be unveiled and the name of the sculpture revealed tomorrow at 11.30am at the Pendle Sculpture Trail in Aiken Wood, near Barley.

Guests from both Creil and Marl, Pendle’s German twin town, will be welcomed and some will be taking part in the international Pendle Walking Festival which runs until Sunday.

Meanwhile Pendle international sculptor Philippe Handford, lead artist for the Pendle Sculpture Trail, will return the compliment by loading a specially- created sculpture on to the lorry for the return trip for installation in Creil.

Philippe said: “A number of Pendle artists got together to celebrate this special 40th birthday year by starting artistic exchanges between Pendle and Creil.

“One of our first ideas was expanding the Pendle Sculpture Trail with an international piece.

“It will be in keeping with the other sculptures on the trail which are inspired by Pendle’s turbulent history.

“And it will be sympathetic to the natural environment in this atmospheric wood.”

He is currently putting the finishing touches to his gift, which has been created from an ancient gritstone gatepost he found near to the Pendle Sculpture Trail.

Joel Couloigner’s acacia wood sculpture has been inspired by the story of the Pendle Witches.

Coun Paul White, who leads on tourism, said: “This will be the first overseas artwork to join our Pendle Sculpture Trail, which already has a growing international reputation. It’s quite a coup.”