The alluring but eerie sight of a woman submerged in a river has become the latest attraction at a Kent tourist hotspot.

The new underwater sculpture in the Stour in Canterbury is intriguing passers-by and visitors who are viewing it from the bridge beside the historic Westgate Towers.

The Alluvia, made from recycling glass, is the work of world-renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and replaces two figures he created 15 years ago after they became damaged beyond repair.

The new figure, with her flowing flower-strewn dress, references the painting “Ophelia” by John Everett Millais.

She was a character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet which it is said was inspired by the suicide of a 17th century judge called Sir James Hales who drowned himself in the Stour after refusing to convert to Catholicism.

The statue also combines artistic creativity with new technology as it is lit with LEDs to glow at night and contains sensors to measure water temperature and clarity as well as the potential to gauge the health of the river.

Now the sculptor is formally gifting the work to the city, which will take place at a ceremony on Sunday attended by town hall representatives and Canterbury Commemoration Society.

Jason, from Faversham, who grew up playing in the Stour, is celebrated across the globe for his extraordinary creations, including the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada in the Caribbean.

He had hoped to restore his original Canterbury features after being told about their condition by the Canterbury Commemoration Society.

But when he found the poor state they were in, he offered to create a replacement instead for the same cost.

And the project, led by the society, was approved after two businessmen, Paul Abbott and Paul Roberts, stepped up to sponsor the work.

Jason, who became an underwater photographer and artist, driven by environmental concerns, delicately installed his new work on Friday.

“I hope that people ask more questions, that they will be intrigued and fascinated and want to learn more about the history of the river and Canterbury,” he said.

Canterbury Commemoration Society chairman Stewart Ross added: “The new Alluvia is a fine addition to the city’s already rich offering a contemporary twist to its cultural and historical attractions and we are grateful to both Jason and our sponsors for their support.”

City council cabinet member for culture, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, said: “We cannot thank Jason enough for so generously giving over his time to create a new Alluvia for the city.

“Combining contemporary art with heritage is at the forefront of our approach to public art and Alluvia is the perfect piece for this location.

“This sits alongside the accepting of the gift of the Amy Johnson Bronze in Herne Bay, kindly gifted by the Amy Johnson Project, and is part of our commitment to equal representation of women in the public realm.

“And the Aphra Behn statue, which is another collaboration with the Canterbury Commemoration Society, is expected to join them early in 2025.

“It’s a really exciting time for public art in the district and we are proud to be working with some great organisations and artists to deliver these.”