A DRAGONFLY sculpture to celebrate Coate Water's 30th anniversary has started to take off.

Work started this week on the impressive piece expected to be 15 feet long when finished but more helping hands are needed.

The dragonfly is to be completed at a three-day workshop run by Acorn Education next week.

Swindon Rangers Team community liaison Johannah Fawthrop said the sculpture would be made of willow.

Good progress has been made already but there is still plenty to do, she said.

"We've still to do the wings and eyes and the head to finish," she said.

When near completion, the sculpture will be taken to the Dragonfly Ball at the Town Gardens on June 3.

The Old Town Gardens' Bowl will be transformed into a nature and music wonderland for the annual event, which is an outdoor dance to celebrate the Swindon Ranger Service's Nature For All scheme.

It starts at 3pm and will include a wide range of entertainment.

The musical line-up includes Belarus, Captain Mandate, Beatbullyz and Ektos, as well as a host of other DJs.

"We are going to get the people at the ball to decorate the eyes and wings," said Johannah.

"Then we are going to show it at Coate Water later in the year to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

"Because it's willow it will be biodegradable.

"It will change colour as it gets older. Willow is quite pliable when it is young.

"We could be using willow from Coate Water itself."

The workshops have been paid for with a £5,000 grant from Acorn Education and will be held on May 29, 30 and 31 from 10am to 3pm.

For more information phone 078 1659 1151 or visit www.acorneducation.com