ARTIST Lara Greene is facing a busy February as she prepares her bid for one of the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme commissions.

The mum of two, who lives in the town, is one of 11 short-listed artists aiming to create works along the River Ettrick.

As part of the recently completed flood defence scheme £100,000 has been made available for three artworks at key sites along the river.

Lara, who graduated in fine art from Nottingham Trent University 18 years ago, has already created public art works in Selkirk Library and also Airdrie, Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Northern Ireland.

And she spent several years making and installing robot sculptures in the US.

Her proposed artwork for the Bannerfield Park site is The River and I, which involves interactive sculptural forms in steel, inspired by the organic forms of the water, and incorporating poetry.

She is hoping her plans will inspire families to become involved with the project.

Lara, who is originally from York, has already led play sessions and workshops on the banks of the Ettrick.

And this week, at the start of a busy month, she will be hosting her own pop up shop.

Lara told us: "I have a personal vested interest in making this commission a success because I live here.

"Everyone is welcome to come and have their say and meet me at the pop up shop... they can also contribute their ideas and stories about the river, and get creative too. There will be craft activities, brainstorming boards and refreshments.

"I will be holding free family events over the next couple of weeks for people to come along and get involved.

"It’s something free and fun to do during the half term break and I'd love to see as many people as possible get involved."

As part of the initial Community Consultation Phase of the project Lara will be at her pop up shop at 1 Tower Street on Friday and Saturday, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

She will be holding a free outdoor art workshop at the riverside, below the Bannerfield footbridge, on Monday, February 13.

And the following Wednesday, February 22, she will be hosting a buggy walk and word search from the Philiphaugh Early Years Centre at 10am.

Lara is also entertaining families with a riverside creative play group for under fives every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12 noon below the wooden footbridge.