Artist alerts shoppers about kissing goodbye to mistletoe

Killinghall artist Steven Blaylock has unveiled a huge suspended stainless steel sculpture of a branch of mistletoe in Harrogate's award-winning food hall Fodder.

The installation, which is created entirely out of Sheffield steel, is part of a drive to protect the seasonal plant which it is feared will disappear from large areas of the British countryside over the next 20 years.

The National Trust are now leading a campaign to buy sustainably sourced home-grown mistletoe in the run up to Christmas.

Artist Steven Blaylock said: "Given the perishing weather conditions in the last few weeks, it's important to support local producers, artisans and craftworkers as trade during

the run-up to Christmas is vital

to keeping these businesses afloat.

"Mistletoe dates back for centuries as a symbol of ongoing life in the winter months.

"We're hoping this steel sculpture will inspire shoppers to buy local this Christmas and celebrate seasonality."

Fodder, run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, acts as a shop window for local farmers and producers with all profits re-invested to benefit the rural community.