Metal sculptor artists from Bodmin Moor have created a heritage bench to celebrate the Royal Albert Bridge which carries railway traffic in and out of Cornwall.

Thrussells Cornwall, based at Temple, has installed the seat, constructed out of galvanised mild steel and copper, in Fore Street, Saltash, which has views towards the iconic structure.

Father and son team Gary and Thomas Thrussell designed the sculptural bench taking direct inspiration from the bridge towers and latticework.

The Thrussells consulted residents in Saltash over the history panels located on each end of the bench.

Eight rivets from the actual bridge, which were replaced during a refurbishment project, are included as part of the seat design. These rivets are more than 160 years old and are now located on the seat part of the bench.

The art project was developed by Saltash businesswoman Joanne Baskott and was commissioned by Saltash Town Council with funding coming from Section 106 money linked with planning approvals.

The heritage bench is due to be unveiled by the Saltash Town Team and Mayor Richard Bickford in the coming weeks.

The 2.2m-long and 1.3m-high bench can seat up to six people.

Thomas said: “The bench takes the form of the historic and famous Royal Albert Bridge constructed in the 1850s linking Devon to Cornwall.

“The railway bridge was a impressive example of Victorian engineering by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

“The bridge to this day still carries all trains travelling into Cornwall. The heritage bench celebrates this achievement and Saltash’s pride in the bridge.

“Although the design is familiar in form, the sculptural bench is an artistic take on the overall design and includes many small details that have meaning and significance to the town and bridge.”

The Thrussells have been commissioned to create public art installations across Europe, including the centrepiece for the Kerdroya Cornish hedge labyrinth at Colliford Lake on Bodmin Moor, the Tamar Bridge drawing board and a Triberg Eagle in the Black Forest in Germany.

Other sculptures include the Rook With A Book in Fowey and insect sculptures at the Eden Project.