Haxby residents got their first glimpse of the new Millennium sculpture at a special unveiling ceremony at the weekend.
The new sculpture, Embrace, marking the Millennium celebrations taking place in the York town, was made and donated by a Haxby artist.
The sculpture, which was unveiled in the new part of the Haxby and Wigginton Cemetery, captures an embrace between a young couple in a "comforting and loving gesture and an act of love and support."
It is a contemporary piece cast in bronze resin which has the appearance of bronze metal and is supposed to weather naturally with the same green patination.
Haxby Town Council gave the commission for the creation to Jean Larcum who was born and lived in Haxby all her life. She gave her time and expertise free of charge.
Margaret Moran, clerk to the council, said Haxby residents were asked through the parish magazine what they would like to mark the Millennium.
She said: "A sculpture was one of the suggestions and we wanted to incorporate a local artist in the ideas and work.
"It captures the joyous moment of an embrace between a young couple."
PICTURE - FINISHED WORK: Sculptress Jean Larcum with the Millennium sculpture in Haxby and Wigginton Cemetery
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