AFTER months of planning and construction, the horse and carriage at Stover Country Park has officially opened to the public today.

The sculpture was designed to represent the historic image of a horse and carriage travelling down the former Carriage Drive towards Stover House – now Stover School - and was the creation of Okehampton-based artist, Nick Mussell.

The sculpture was commissioned by the Friends of Stover Country Park, and the installation has been funded by the Coop Local Community Fund.

Friends of Stover Country Park trustee, Emily Farrell, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled with the beautiful horse and carriage that the talented Nick Mussell of Tanglewood Projects has created.

'We hope visitors will enjoy using their imaginations to take a ride down the Carriage Drive.

'We would like to thank Matt Evans, the Coop Store Manager at Liverton Coop, and all those Coop shoppers who kindly donated to the Project through the Coop Local Community Fund.'

Coop Store Manager at Liverton Coop, Matt Evans, said: 'I have not been to Stover in about 12 months, so this is the first time I have seen it and it looks amazing.'

Members of the public are asked to enjoy sitting in the carriage, but to not climb on the horse.