Lowestoft beach welcomes giant sculpture of five walking men

Five 8ft (2.4m) statues have been installed on a beach ahead of a free festival taking place in a town.

The Walking Men sculpture by Laurence Edwards has travelled throughout the UK and was previously put on display in Australia.

The statues have now been placed on South Beach in Lowestoft, Suffolk, as part of the First Light Festival on Saturday and Sunday, and they will remain there until the end of August.

Mr Edwards, who also made the Yoxman sculpture, said it was a “gift” to have his work placed on the beach.

“I love the idea of these moving people, moving through the landscape to try and work out where their place is – it’s a lovely theme,” he explained.

“This is such a gift to get a spot on a beach with all this hardcore gear to manoeuvre and place them.

“It’s almost unheard of so I’m thrilled to have this location and this incredible town at my fingertips.”

The five 8ft (2.4m) tall sculptures were placed on the beach on Tuesday after having previously been on display at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Lowestoft Ness Point, on the town’s seafront, is the most easternmost point in the UK. Mr Edwards said he would attend the First Light Festival and witness his sculpture be touched by the early sunrise following the summer solstice.

Genevieve Christie, the founder and director of First Light Festival, said the event was all about Lowestoft.

“It’s all about shining a light on this beautiful part of the country and getting people to think about Lowestoft as the most easterly place in the country,” she explained.

“I think South Beach in Lowestoft is an unsung jewel of our county and more people should enjoy it.

“It really is a magnificent part of Suffolk.”