A young Stockport hero has been recognised with a permanent public artwork in Vernon Park. 

Georgi 'Geo' Wilson - aged 11 - was behind a remarkable community project during the Covid pandemic. 

It was Geo who came up with 'Stan the Snake', a model snake made from 1,000 different painted pebbles. 

Stan took shape during the height of the pandemic. He started small, as Geo put a handful of painted pebbles together. 

Quickly though, Geo rallied the enthusiasm of the local community, who began to paint their own pebbles, adding them to Stan. 

Before long, Stan the Snake had become a winding symbol of optimism and community spirit in the face of adversity, made of more than 1,000 different pebbles. 

Find a video showing Stan in all his glory HERE.

A close-up of the new artwork at Vernon Park, featuring pebbles from Stan the Snake (Image - Stockport Council)

The new artwork at Vernon Park is based near some new benches, and features some of the pebbles which made up Stan - they have now been embedded into the floor of the park, enclosed in a heart design. 

This installation is one of 30 Covid commemoration pieces across the borough. It has been funded by Pure Innovations, a locally-based disability charity. 

Some of these 30 projects are still in the works. Once completed, though, there will be at least one Covid memorial in all 21 wards in the borough. 

Louise Parrott-Bates, CEO of Pure Innovations, said: "The new seating area not only provides a place for reflection and rest but also serves as a permanent tribute to the strength and togetherness demonstrated by the Stockport community during challenging times. 

"The inclusion of Stan the Snake into the benches ensures that the memory of this unique community project will live on for years to come."

Well done, Geo!

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