16/01/2008 04:26:04
Gateshead is to celebrate the 10th birthday of the Angel of the North with a year-long programme of events, and one special photograph.
The sculpture, which can be seen from the A1, the East Coast Mainline and even from space, was officially "born" on 14 February 1998. Created by the sculptor Antony Gormley, the Angel stands 20 metres high, weighs 200 tonnes, and took a team of 20 people six months to build.
To celebrate the sculpture's tenth anniversary, Gateshead council is seeking every child in the North East who was born on the same day for a group photograph to be taken alongside it.
"The birth of the Angel [marked] the beginning of a great deal of change in our borough and indeed the wider region," said Councillor Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council.
"Gateshead has enjoyed multi-million pounds of investment over the last ten years, which made an incredible impact on the lives of local people, boosting the economy and bringing more visitors here," he added.
"It seems only right that we celebrate its birthday with all those 10 year olds out there that perhaps don't realise that they share the same anniversary."
Joining in the celebrations? Say 'halo' to one of Best Western's hotels in the North East.