A giant light sculpture advertising Gloucester Food Dock was unveiled last night (Thursday).

The 7m long artwork, fitted with 1,500 programmable LEDS, was commissioned by Gloucester Food Dock from Stroud-based light artist Jack Wimperis.

The sculpture will be animated on the hour every hour between 6pm-11pm and can be programmed in an infinite number of ways to reflect events in the city and the docks, campaigns, seasons, and other creative moments.

Jack, who specialises in sculptures, experiences, and environments with light, said: "This is a great structure with the potential to enliven and animate. Now it's in place the potential is endless."

Around 40 people, including Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen, attended the unveiling and were treated to a burger and drink at recently-opened food dock venue Chuck Burger.

Mark said: "We've tracked this development from the very beginning and instantly fell in love with it. We could see the potential. But the biggest part of this is that you'll be able to see this sign from Gloucester Quays and it will draw people in who disconnect between the Quays and the city centre. What seemed to be a chasm is slowly shrinking."

Gloucester Food Dock is keen that cultural groups, individuals and organisations such as the University of Gloucestershire, Visit Gloucester and others can become involved and create programmes for the artwork to reflect activities in the city and elsewhere.

The Food Dock is co-ordinating the launch with a series of Food by The Fire pop-up events organised by Bright Nights Gloucester. It is also hoped that this piece will ultimately be one of a trail of light sculptures around the city.

The large sign is built on a specially fabricated metal frame constructed by Stroud-based metal fabricators A D Taylor LTD. Each letter comprises recycled mastic nozzles housing their very own addressable LED light.

The individual lights can be programmed to work together or stand alone to create a unique work of art. A 3m tower also covered with LEDS sits adjacent to the letters.

With so many programmable options the illumination possibilities are endless, every day could bring another illumination!