ARTIST Ally Wallace is hoping to keep Victoria Baths in the news - by using old cuttings to make a huge sculpture.

Ally is the first artist in residence at the listed Edwardian building, near Longsight, and his debut work will be created by taping hundreds of newspaper pages together.

During the initial phase of its restoration, the building has become a magnet for artists, and photographers, sound engineers who want to use the acoustics and performers to use the space.

As the restoration of the building's frontage is completed, managers appointed Ally, after more than 50 artists applied for the temporary post.

"Ally works with the humblest of materials to create pieces on a monumental scale," said Alison Kershaw, arts co-ordinator for the baths.

Ally will be at the baths until next month, while he creates a work that reflects the partial restoration of the building.

Ally said: "I take inspiration from the architecture of the surroundings."

Supporters of Victoria Baths hope eventually to re-open it as a public swimming pool.

The renovation is being paid for with £3m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a £500,000 prize from the BBC after the building was chosen to receive the money by viewers of the Restoration series in 2003.

Ally's work is part of a programme at the baths awarded £22,000 from Arts Council England. The baths will also be used as an exhibition space for artists.

Victoria Baths will next be open to the public on September 7. Tweet