WINSFORD schoolchildren will be part of an exciting ‘orig-army’ art project to create a battalion of paper tanks for the First World War centenary commemorations this year.

Derek Johnson of the Cheshire Artists Network is leading one of the most ambitious projects for this year’s Great War-themed Salt Fair 2014 – creating large scale models of a Zeppelin aircraft and a Mark I Tank.

Meanwhile, schoolchildren can build and decorate their own tanks using a cardboard cut our designed by Derek and also help out with the big projects at the Winsford Cross Shopping Centre.

“Children can dedicate their tanks to people,” explained Derek. “It could be a family member who fought in the First World War, or it could be that they decorate the tank with an anti-war message.

“The frame of the large tank will be covered with educational material including timelines and pictures from the Imperial War Museum, so children can come in an learn about the history of the war while they help build it.”

Schools across Winsford are being asked to get involved with the project, with hundreds of small tanks to be placed in the shopping centre to create a unique art installation September’s Salt Fair.

Meanwhile, Derek’s about to turn his attention to the skies and begin work on an even bigger First World War art project.

Using woven willow sticks and tissue paper he’s going create the frame of a scaled down German Zeppelin aircraft.

“It’s going to be big, but we’re limited by the double doors it’ll have to go in and out of at the shopping centre!” said Derek, whose work features in CAN’s First World War exhibition – currently touring the north west after a stint at the Cosford Royal Air Force Museum in Shropshire.

See www.c-a-n.co.uk for more information.

Schools hoping to get involved with the project, based former Branded Clearance Shop Unit in the shopping centre, can contact Derek on 07581664244.