DOODLES by a raft of award-winning celebrities are being immortalised in glass thanks to a group of Stourbridge artists.

Celebrities including Lenny Henry, Robert Plant, Emma Thompson and Wolves legend Steve Bull have all submitted doodles which will be turned to glass as part of Stourbridge’s International Festival of Glass.

The doodle challenge, organised by the British Glass Foundation, will see the finished works auctioned to raise funds for the British Glass Foundation trust during the festival which runs between May 28 and 31.

Each of the celebrities created an original drawing on an acrylic sheet, which will then be translated into a piece of glass art, the method and style depending on the interpretation of the glass artist working on the project.

Glass artist Allister Malcolm, who is based at Broadfield House Glass Museum, has completed the first piece of original glass – a doodle created by Frankie Valli – alongside fellow artist Richard Golding.

Allister, who is co-ordinating the doodle project, said: “I'm so pleased that we've had such an enthusiastic response starting with some great doodles.

“Suppliers from the glass world have sponsored the project and now many glass artists are giving their time.

“It's amazing to see so much support to help protect our glass heritage.”

The majority of the other pieces will be made, or finishing touches added, during the festival itself, with the public welcome to watch the artists at work.

A full list of celebrity doodles, as well as when and where they will be immortalised in glass, is available at www.ifg.org.uk/glass-festival/demonstrations-3/celebrity-doodles.html

Elisabeth Johnson, festival coordinator, said: “The Glass Doodles project is just another example of how the studio glass industry is thriving in this country and shows the level of support locally for celebrations of our glass heritage.

“The International Festival of Glass takes the celebration of this versatile material to a whole new level, with exhibitions such as the British Glass Biennale showing just how popular glass as a material and as an art form continues to be.”

For more information about the workshops and all the events, activities and exhibitions taking place throughout the festival visit www.ifg.org.uk