Winners of a competition to create a chainsaw sculpture have been chosen out of more than 20 entries.

Barton’s Point Coastal Park, Sheerness, ran the contest after it scooped a £5,000 arts grant from Ideas Test (formerly Creative People and Places: Swale and Medway).

The money will be used to create a trail of artwork around the grounds off Marine Parade, trees toppled by the storms.

There will be seven sculptures in total and the competition was held for residents and groups to design one.

A total of 25 drawings were received and the favourite one was chosen last week.

Members of East Kent Mencap’s Art and Design with a Difference Group were chosen as the winning design.

Their image of a woman sitting down, which was inspired by French artist Henri Matisse’s famous abstract piece, was picked out and will now be recreated in wood and situated alongside the lake.

A chainsaw artist will start work on the designs this weekend.

Mandy Shade, who runs the Boathouse Cafe at the park, said all the entries they received were of such a high standard and she thanked everyone who got involved.

“Some of the words were just beautiful – really moving and thoughtful,” she said.

“People are very passionate about the park and it made me feel very proud.”

Caz White, support worker for East Kent Mencap, said the members of the group were delighted.

“They are looking forward to it taking shape – it will be exciting to see their design set out in wood,” she said.

Barton’s Point is one of four Sheppey schemes to be awarded a share of the £1.5 million grant.