A sculpture made from 100,000 blunted knives is coming to Sandwell.

The Knife Angel will be displayed in Oldbury Civic Square from Wednesday (October 2).

Standing 27 feet tall and weighing 3.5 tonnes, the sculpture is a symbol of the impact of knife crime.

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It is made up of knives collected from 43 police forces across the UK and has been touring the country since November 2018.

The official opening event for the sculpture will take place on the day between 4pm and 6pm.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, leader of Sandwell Council, said: "Knife-related crime is a concern across the UK, and it is important that we do all we can here in Sandwell to make sure people choose life, not knife.

"Most people do not carry knives; most young people do not carry knives.

"But we need anyone who does, or is tempted to carry a knife, to turn their back on a choice that could cost their or another person’s life.

"This thought-provoking Knife Angel is a reminder of the real and tragic consequences of knife crime and will hopefully start conversations within families, among friends and in the community."

Sandwell Police commander, Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, said: "Knives can ruin lives and we're working with partners to keep our streets safe.

"We're doing this through both enforcement and education and the Knife Angel sends out a powerful message which should resonate across communities.

"We're committed to doing all we can to prevent the devastating consequences which can be caused by carrying a weapon.

"Actions in the heat of the moment can lead to the tragic loss of life and someone else ruining their own life too."

The Knife Angel sculpture has been brought to the borough by Sandwell Council and the Safer Sandwell Partnership in collaboration with British Ironwork Centre, West Midlands Police, and the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP).