PLAYERS and staff from Rugby League side St Helens added their support to a project that intends to really put the borough on the world map.

 Manager Daniel Anderson and his squad put their heads together to come up with a Motto designed to help raise public awareness about the “Big Art Project” which focuses on the former Sutton Manor Colliery site.

 The “Big Art Project” is a scheme run by Channel 4 where seven sites across the UK have been chosen.

 The people of St Helens have been encouraged to add their input by producing a Motto by using and rearranging the letters of ‘National Coal Board Sutton Manor Colliery’ which are the words from the old colliery sites gates.

 Channel 4’s Carmel O’Toole explained why coming up with a motto is important to the redevelopment of Sutton Manor.

 “Motto is one of a series of projects by Big Art that aims to raise people’s awareness of public art and the benefits it can bring and having a motto adds extra interest. It’s fantastic that the rugby players have shown their support because they are great role models who attract positive attention.”

 Ex -miner Gary Conley started working at Sutton Manor Colliery as an apprentice as soon as he left school in 1974 and stayed there until it closed in 1991. Mr Conley now heads a group of 12 former workers who have been greatly involved in the development of the project and was working with the players, including star players Sean Long, Keiron Cunningham and captain Paul Sculthorpe at yesterdays session at Knowsley Road.

 He said: “It couldn’t have really gone any better. These players are of a high standing in the Rugby world and are constantly under pressure, but they all joined in and were really enthusiastic and genuinely cared about what is happening in St.Helens.”

 As well as all the household names that turned up, many of the stars of the future from the club’s Academy voiced their ideas and this was equally as pleasing for Mr Conley.

 “It was great that the younger lads turned up because many of them have links to the coal miners through family and some of them even went to Sutton Manor school.”

 The motto that the players finally came up with was the amusing “Saints told ladies come into my orbit!” and Mr Conley said the players were pleased with this because “it was the only one out of the selection they thought of that they were allowed to publish.”

 Although details of what the Art project will look like are being kept under wraps, Mr Conley has been working with artist Juame Plensa and promised that it will be something to behold.

 “All I can say at the moment is that it will be 20 metres in height and involve lots of lights. I can guarantee that it will rival the Angel of the North and I really think the people of St Helens will be proud of it.”

 The Big Art project is due to beshown on Channel 4 by the end of spring when, hopefully, it will be completed.