A textile artist and an army of knitters have created a new woolly exhibition installation inspired by the Westcountry's stunning coastline.

Extraordinary knitter Alison Murray has succeeded in creating a knitted large-scale seaside scene to raise money for the RNLI.

Above And Below The Sea is a spectacular piece including a life-size mermaid named Syrene and numerous other marine artefacts that 2,000 people have contributed to.

The 2,000 volunteers involved in the painstaking project come from as far afield as Hong Kong and the USA.

Mrs Murray, of Bideford, North Devon, first began this latest project in 2008 and the team have spent the past four months piecing together each part of the woolly marine world.

She embarked on this watery scene after successfully completing a gingerbread house and a Christmas tree. The last preparations are being put in place before the unveiling on June 3 at the Appledore Visual Arts Festival.

Here, Syrene will guide you into an unusual world where you will walk under a knitted sea and, among floating seaweed and jellyfish, you will meet octopuses, crabs and deep-sea divers.

The quality of the work and the opportunity for more than 2,000 people to take part in its creation attracted an Arts Council grant for the knitted nautical project.

Arts Council England South West Director Phil Gibby said: "Schools, families, community groups and clubs have all taken part in this project and will be able to see their contributions in the final installation.

"Alison's work brings out the creative side in all sorts of people and I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed work."

Mrs Murray said: "It has been very exciting seeing the whole thing come together especially with all the help and support I have received.

"This has definitely been the most ambitious project yet but is set to raise the most funds.

"This is the first piece that people have been able to walk through and that has definitely increased the pressure during its construction."

Previously Mrs Murray has raised money for the North Devon Hospice and Great Ormond Street Hospital and her chosen charity this time is the RNLI, particularly supporting the charity's Train One, Save Many campaign.

This uses each £1,000 raised to train one lifesaver, thereby saving many lives.

Clare Blight, senior fundraising manager for RNLI South West, said: "It has been, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure to work with Alison.

"Her approach involving the enthusiastic contribution of hundreds of knitters not only from the UK and Ireland, but also from many other parts of the world, is truly inspirational.

"We'd like to thank Alison, her wonderfully supportive friends and family and all the knitters around the world who have helped produce this terrific work of art."

Mrs Murray has inspired knitting clubs and schools across the country and she finds continuous encouragement in seeing her extraordinary pieces not only supporting charities but also being able to promote knitting across the generations.

Above And Below The Sea will be on show at the Appledore Visual Arts Festival from June 3-6.

Admission costs £4, adults and children under 18 free (price includes all four days of the festival).

For more information, visit http://www.appledorearts.org /index.htm. Call 07900 212747.