CLAD in waders and up to her armpits in sea is not where you would normally find local artist Rebecca Newnham.

But it was all in a good cause as she gave a sea trial to her latest sculpture, Wave, at Mudeford.

The 15ft red floating sculpture passed with flying colours and attracted positive comments from passers-by.

A commissioned piece, it will be installed later this month at the Himalayan Garden in Ripon, North Yorkshire, which opens to the public in April.

Constructed of fibreglass over a stainless steel frame, filled with Styrofoam to make it float, the work on it was done by local firms.

“It was great to put it in a public space and to get a response from the public,” said Rebecca.