STOURBRIDGE'S Mary Stevens Hospice has unveiled a unique wall sculpture created by a top glass artist for people to remember lost loved ones.

Charlotte Hughes-Martin, of the Spark Factory, was commissioned to create the Glass Giving Tree for the Hagley Road hospice's newly-refurbished In-Patient Unit.

The eye-catching installation, which adorns the foyer wall in the new-look unit, will serve as a memorial for bereaved families and friends who will be able to dedicate a glass leaf to someone they love who has passed away.

Comprising a multitude of hand-blown and hand-cut pieces of coloured glass, the striking piece of artwork was designed and produced by internationally renowned artist Charlotte at her studio at the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley and took several weeks to make.

She said the project had been "lovely to be a part of" and hospice chief executive Stevan Jackson said: "The result has been absolutely stunning and far more visually and emotionally powerful than I could have possibly imagined.

He added: "I have no doubt it will play a significant role in helping many to celebrate the memory of those whom they have loved.

"We also hope it will provide us with a way of raising some of the £2.5million needed every year to provide the specialist hospice care that relieves the stress, pain and suffering of our patients."

In return for a donation, people will be able to have the name of a late relative or friend engraved on the individual glass leaves and all proceeds generated will go directly to help the hospice care for others.

The art project was funded thanks to a legacy left by the late Bryan Marshall - one of the first campaigners for a hospice in Stourbridge and a key founder of what went on to become Mary Stevens Hospice.

Mr Marshall's widow Mary said: “Bryan never really wanted any recognition for his work.

"However, leaving this tree behind will ensure he is able to continue helping the hospice even though he is no longer with us. I know he would have been delighted with the way the tree looks; it’s even more beautiful than I could have imagined.”

Bryan’s name will be the first to be engraved and will remain a permanent fixture on the tree.

Anyone wishing to dedicate a leaf to a lost loved one can call the hospice's fundraising office on 01384 377778 or go to http://marystevenshospice.co.uk/the-glass-giving-tree/