A SCULPTURE of the woman who first discovered Scarborough's healing spa waters could be unveiled on the seafront – crafted by an artist who has worked on waxworks of Brad Pitt and Taylor Swift for Madame Tussauds.

This year marks the Scarborough’s 400th anniversary as a spa town, after Thomasin Farrer discovered the waters apparently had medicinal properties.

The bronze sculpture, called Aqua Vitalis, could be placed near the seafront in South Bay.

Sculptor Jethro Crabb has worked for Madame Tussauds, as well as creating pieces for sites such as Blenheim Palace.

A photo of how the new sculpture, Aqua Vitalis, will look. The artwork will be located close to Scarborough Spa and will feature a striking female figure inspired by Thomasin Farrer, who discovered the apparently medicinal properties of town’s spa waters in 1626. Mina Milanovic Photography

placeholder image — A photo of how the new sculpture, Aqua Vitalis, will look. The artwork will be located close to Scarborough Spa and will feature a striking female figure inspired by Thomasin Farrer, who discovered the apparently medicinal properties of town’s spa waters in 1626. Mina Milanovic Photography

Mr Crabb, 44, whose workshop is based in Surrey, said it was an honour to be entrusted with such a prominent artwork.

“Women are still significantly underrepresented in public sculpture across the UK and this artwork will help to address that imbalance by placing a local woman at the centre of the story,” he said.

“I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be responsible for the artwork and I hope that it will be treasured by Scarborough’s residents and visitors alike for many years to come.”

Thomasin Farrer's discovery, in 1626, laid the foundation for Scarborough’s reputation as a health retreat and as Britain’s first seaside resort.

A view across Scarborough’s South Bay as it looks today. The town is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year since becoming a spa town. Image: Visit North Yorkshire/Tom Arber)

A series of celebrations are to be held all through this anniversary year, with the sculpture commissioned by North Yorkshire Council.

If planning permission is granted, it will be sited at the centre of a roundabout close to the original spa pump, and will be unveiled in the autumn.

It is funded with a £100,000 grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, via the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The sculpture will show a figure raising a golden jug in celebration, to symbolise both Scarborough’s heritage and its hopes for the future.

An archive image from the early 20 th century of crowds gathered as the Scarborough Spa Orchestra plays at the open-air bandstand on a sunny summer morning. (Pic credit: North Yorkshire Archives)

Coun Simon Myers, the council’s executive member for culture, said: “We want to make sure that this year is marked with a series of events that truly capture just how special Scarborough is for everyone who lives and works in the town, as well as all the visitors who come to the resort."

And the chair of the council’s Scarborough and Whitby area committee, Coun Liz Colling, said: “We all hope that the artwork will become a part of the fabric of the town and that it will be woven into the daily lives of everyone who lives here."