A giant moving oyster sculpture could be coming to Whitstable seafront this summer.

The 1.5-metre long artwork would be made of real oyster shells and sit on top of a metal plinth in front of the Whitstable Oyster House, facing the sea.

An open-and-close mechanism would coincide with the rise and fall of the tide, to reveal a large glass pearl illuminated with different coloured lights.

Whitstable resident and artist Phillip Long is behind the project as director of Nagual Creations.

He aims to have the sculpture installed and officially unveiled in July.

He said: “The Whitstable Oyster will be a celebration of the town's reputation as a centre for oyster fishing.

“It will be visually arresting and exciting, becoming a destination for tourists and residents alike. The sculpture has potential to become a landmark and emblem for Whitstable.”

Mr Long, who in 2013 designed and built a giant urinal sculpture in honour of French artist Marcel Duchamp in Herne Bay, described how the oyster sculpture will be made.

He said: “The exterior of the shell will be clad in the rough-ridged outer surface of real oyster shells, forming the layers and ridges.

“These shells will be coated in coloured resin echoing the colours of mother of pearl. The interior will be formed of the smooth white inner surfaces of real oyster shells.”

Mr Long expressed his delight at the sculpture being installed on land owned by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company.

He said: “This is the perfect location due to the heavy footfall during the summer and the Whitstable Oyster House being an iconic and historical landmark of oyster fishing in the area.

“The Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company has also kindly agreed to donate all the clean oyster shells required in the building of the sculpture, as well as providing the workspace in which to construct the sculpture.

“The project will cost between £10,000 and £15,000, and we hope that we can raise this through the support of local businesses and individuals as well as grants.”

If you want to find out more about the project visit Nagual Creations.