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The world’s largest equine sculptures, and their surrounding park and canal infrastructure, are vying for another top award.

The Kelpies and the Helix Park, between Falkirk and Grangemouth, have been shortlisted for the “art and interpretation category” of the Living Waterways Awards.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London this Thursday (October 8).

The awards, launched by the Canal and River Trust, aim to recognise the “most inspiring and exciting waterway-based improvement projects across the UK”.

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “The Living Waterways Awards celebrate the individuals, communities and organisations that have done the most to make a difference to the nation’s rivers, canals, lochs, lakes, reservoirs and docks, making them exciting places to live, learn and spend time.”

The Helix site was developed by Scottish Canals and Falkirk Council with support from the Big Lottery Fund and a range of funders. The site is now co-managed by Falkirk Community Trust and Scottish Canals.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Falkirk Council’s spokesman for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “The Kelpies and the wider Helix project have transformed an under-used piece of land at the eastern end of the Forth and Clyde Canal into a vibrant new parkland, canal hub and world-class visitor attraction.

“Since the Kelpies were officially launched in 2014, they’ve become a huge hit with the public. The sculptures and the wider park project have also attracted a range of awards. It’s lovely that the project is now being considered for the Living Waterways Awards. We’ll find out this week if we’ve been successful.

“Of course, whatever happens, the real winners are local people and visitors have seen improvements to the local canal network and gained a new greenspace – all dominated by stunning pieces of public art.”

David Lamont, Director of Operations at Scottish Canals and former Chief Executive of The Helix Trust, said: “From Neptune’s Staircase to The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland’s canals have been associated with innovative art and engineering for more than 200 years. The Helix and The Kelpies are the latest in that long line of ambitious projects fusing art and industry and we’re delighted they are being considered for the Living Waterways Awards.

"Attracting more than one million visitors since their opening in 2014, these magnificent monuments to horse-powered heritage have captured imaginations the world over but they belong to the people of Falkirk, Grangemouth and Scotland itself. This nomination is a fantastic achievement which everyone should be rightfully proud of.”

More on the awards here: http://bit.ly/1j31iIc

More on the Helix at www.thehelix.co.uk