From Russia to the Fens with love - the sculptures lifting the lockdown gloom

A Russian sculptor who found herself marooned here because of the lockdown has spent her time making works of art to brighten up Wisbech.

Natalya Shylapina who comes from Siberia flew to this country in March to visit her boyfriend who she had met in Russia when he was teaching English.

Almost as soon as she arrived the lockdown started and with all flights to Russia cancelled she was unable to return home.

A well known artist and flower arranger Nataylia asked if there was anywhere in Wisbech where she could create something special.

She was given the go-ahead to build a garden and sculpture outside St Peter's Parish Church. It's proved a spectacular hit with locals, so successful she has now moved on to an even bigger project.

Natalya is creating a giant butterfly sculpture in Wisbech Park especially for local children. The idea is that when it's finished children can take selfies in front of it so that it looks like they have wings.

To make it look even more like you could be flying the butterfly has been created on a welded frame interwoven with willow that make the wings quiver.

Both the garden and sculptures are proving an uplifting lockdown story from Russia with love.