A Sheffield firm has played a key part in the creation of a sculpture, designed to be a gateway to Carmarthenshire.
More than 400 Gripple wire joiners, normally used to suspend mechanical and electrical systems from ceilings or tensioning wire fences, have been employed to create the 'Swirl Cone' on a roundabout on the main route to the county.
The 12-metre, stainless steel cone is made up of 400 stainless steel cables, attached to a central column at one end and a 16-metre diameter base plate at the other.
Creator Colin Rose came up with the idea of using Gripples – the development of which was inspired by a farmer from the Welsh county who complained there ought to be an easier way of joining stock fencing.
Mr Rose said: "Because of the structure's wide base and high apex, in the interests of safety and to prevent tampering it was vital to tension and lock the cables on the ground.
"I researched all available cable fixings and the Gripple was the best solution. Made of zinc alloy, they work well with stainless steel, are self-contained, have a long life and were easy to install. The people at Gripple were very helpful, advising me how best to use the products."
Carmarthen County Council and local residents came up with the idea of using a piece of sculpture as a gateway to their county and the Welsh Assembly provided the funding.
The commission was managed by leading Welsh art consultants SAFLE and the sculpture is designed to reflect the area's history of precision engineering and shipping.
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