BROMSGROVE illustrator Cathy Simpson has been having a "hoot" - creating first a colourful owl and now a new flight of fantasy in the shape of a mannequin character.

The former head of art at Bromsgrove School was commissioned to paint the mannequin with scenes from children's books - and the finished piece is now on show at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery until September 13.

It all came about after Miss Simpson, of The Dock, Catshill, was commissioned to paint two owls as part of a public art project called "The Big Hoot" in Birmingham last year.

Denis Ramplin, director of communications and marketing for the King Edwards Schools Foundation - which promotes education to disadvantaged children - was impressed with her "Happy Hospit-owl", produced by her for Birmingham Children's Hospital's charity.

And that inspired him to track down Miss Simpson to see if she would paint the mannequin to sit on a book-shaped bench as part of the "Big Read" project.

"This was the most fantastic commission," said Miss Simpson, who is aged in her 50s.

"Many stories are featured on the mannequin - and rumour has it that there'll be a competition to name him.

"We'll see - but he'll always be 'Mannakin Skywalker' to me."

Miss Simpson used stories from Birmingham author JRR Tolkien's books, "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Two Towers" for some of the scenes on the figure, while a pirate ship, mermaid and flowers also feature for younger children.

After leaving the art gallery, the book bench and mannequin will move on for display at King Edward VI Schools Learning Hub at Birmingham Airport.

"I hope it will engage people of all ages in the visual arts," said Miss Simpson, who is also one of only a few women members of the Professional Cartoonists' Organisation.