VISITORS to an environmental centre may find themselves a little surprised yet impressed by an unusual but innovative design outside the building.

A heart and blood pressure monitor is being housed within a large wooden sculpture at the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre at Callow Hill.

The initiative is part of the Forestry Commission's healthy living programme of events which has been running for three years, and is designed to make youngsters understand the link between healthy living, exercise and the forest.

Sculptor Jim Heath spent a week in residency at the centre where he used a large log of ancient Wyre Forest oak for his work.

As part of the carving he linked the heartwood of the oak with the heart of a person and the pressure in the blood vessels.

Forestry Commission education officer Rosemary Winnall said: "The sculpture is bold, dramatic, inspirational and thought-provoking because it catches the eye, and yet touches the heart."

The next stages of the Forest Heart Project are a forest heart week from September 18-22 when children from Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport schools will take part in drama, dance and music workshops.

The sculpture will be officially opened to the public soon after.