SIX whale tail sculptures measuring more than two metres tall have been earmarked for Prestatyn promenade.

The contemporary sculptures, costing £32,400, will have recycling bins inside them as well as educational information. They will be in place from The Beaches Hotel to the Ffrith and will show various stages of diving.

Prestatyn and Community Business Forum are behind the project, which promises to be "a sight to behold".

The 2.4 metre high sculptures will be created by Jacha Potgieter, a South African Environmentalists living in Betws y Coed.

Jacha uses his artwork to raise awareness of conservation issues including the fight of the great apes, plastic pollution, the trade in ivory and rhino horn and the worlds most trafficked mammal - the Pangolin.

Sally Smart, business forum secretary, said: "Plastic Free is an initiative we are very keen to support. The David Attenborough effect has had a huge impact on people’s thought processes with regards to rubbish and plastic entering the oceans and we wanted something to support this.

"If we can get the grants and funding in place then we hope to have the tails installed by next Summer. It will be amazing to create a legacy and it will help in someway in terms of stopping plastic waste getting into our seas.

Rhyl Journal:

Jacha is an environmental artist originally from South Africa. Jacha has agreed to give his time for free and so we will only be paying for the materials.

"We hope to create sponsor opportunities - businesses might want to sponsor a tail and we can have a plaque and some wording.

"We hope residents and tourists will react very positively to them. They can be described as artwork really. They will be made out of Corten steel so they won't need maintenance. [Corten weathering steel develops a protective layer of rust when exposed to atmospheric conditions].

"It is wonderful to have Jacha on board who is giving his time and will be doing the designs for free. Jacha was responsible for Edith the wire sculpture Rhino on the train station platform in Betws-y-Coed.

"It has taken two years to get to this stage.

"Initially we had the idea of creating a big whale and Jacha had the vision of the tails.

"We wanted something physically large which was totally unique to Prestatyn and something which could rival 'Another Place' by Anthony Gormley at Crosby Beach.

"We hope the tails will look spectacular and put a big smile on people's faces."

The group is hoping to obtain a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative and are appealing for shoppers - in May and June - to use their blue token to support the project

The group is also appealing to community groups to get involved.

Sally added: "We are so excited about this project and are in the process of applying for grants.

"Prestatyn High School have agreed to be involved and raise funds. They were very enthusiastic about their involvement as the project will fit with topics being taught.

"Barclays Bank have agreed to fund match the project with the High School and will be working closely with us.

"We have also met with the Rotary club who have been instrumental with ensuring Prestatyn becomes Plastic Free and they have agreed to support our venture."

Sally is hoping to attract a big named celebrity to unveil the tails next year.

"We would obviously love David Attenborough or Aquaman [Jason Momoa] coming out the water," Sally laughed.

"It all about raising awareness - as well as collecting funds - and hopefully this will help focus people, that we must do everything to protect our seas.

"A lot of good people are making a difference in Prestatyn, with taking rubbish off the beach and beach cleans, and we want to continue that."

Anyone interested in helping with fundraising can email prestatynbusinessforum@gmail.com

Customers can cast their vote for the project in Prestatyn Tesco; shoppers will be given a token to vote at the checkout each time they shop.