Washing machines wanted for giant Rubik's Cube

People are being asked to donate their unwanted washing machines to help create a giant Rubik's Cube.

The idea has come from the British Ironworks Centre near Oswestry in Shropshire and it is looking for between 200 and 300 of them to create the sculpture.

Chairman Clive Knowles said the aim was to inspire children to recycle.

But he said getting hold of the washing machines was proving to be "unexpectedly difficult".

Mr Knowles explained retailers regularly collect old machines when they install new ones.

"I don't think they're in back gardens any more," he added.

He said the idea was "one of those middle of the night sort of ideas that you have" and he hoped his team of artists could create something up to 11m (36ft) high.

Once in place, the washing machines would be hand-painted, he said, but unlike previous sculptures, such as the Knife Angel or Manchester Bee, this one would not be portable.

However, like those other sculptures, which were built out of weapons to raise awareness of violent crime, he said this sculpture would have a serious message.

"We try to inspire the children to think about reusing everything in the home and recycling and saving things going to landfill," he said.

Mr Knowles said he was not aware of anything similar being attempted before and he has reached out to retailers, to see if they would donate their unwanted machines.

He is hoping people will donate their machines for free, but said he would offer a free coffee to anyone who brings one in.

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