A CHAGFORD resident is to be a key consultant in a special sculpture going on display in London this year, highlighting the threat of climate change.

An ice sculpture of an iconic symbol of the Arctic is to be put on display in the capital, created by renowned wildlife sculptor of animals in action, Mark Coreth.

The life-sized hunting polar bear will be displayed in Trafalgar Square from December 11 for ten days.

William Todd-Jones, who lives in Chagford, is a key consultant to the ice bear project and his son, who attended Okehampton college, did work experience with Mark.

Embedded within the ice will be a bronze sculpture of the bears skeleton.

Over the ten days, aided by the warmth of hands which touch the bear, the ice will melt and the skeleton will emerge, leaving just bones and a puddle. The image is intended convey the power humans have in influencing the environment.

The Bear in the Square will coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The project has won the support of WWF, Polar Bear International and The Catlin Ice Survey.

Success in London will lead to future Ice Bears for major cities across four continents —Copenhagen, Paris, Oslo, Berlin, Rome, Moscow, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Beijing, Sydney and back to London for 2012.

The public is being asked to help the Ice Bear project by donating funds to cover the cost of getting the bear onto Trafalgar Square this December.

In addition, thirty 'Founding Friends' are needed to make a donation of £1,000 each. They can be individuals or companies, and the money will cover the direct costs of sculpting and casting the bronze skeleton.

Founding Friends will be invited to a sculpting master class at Mark's studio in Wiltshire, be part of the launch of the Ice Bear in London, be acknowledged in literature and on the project's website.

Founders will also be entered into a draw to win the original glass study for the Ice Bear.