THE creator of an inflatable artwork which flipped over and killed two people went on trial yesterday (Mon Jan 26) charged with manslaughter.

Artist Maurice Agis, 76, who conceived the multi- coloured Dreamspace sculpture, was at Newcastle Crown Court accused of killing Claire Furmedge, 38, and Elizabeth Collings, 68, who were inside.

Agis, of Kirton Gardens, Bethnal Green, east London, also faces a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act of failing to protect employees from risk.

He denies all the charges.

Liverpool-based promotions company Brouhaha International Limited has already admitted a breach of Section 21 of the Act.

The inflatable broke free and rose into the sky on a hot afternoon in July 2006 at Chester-le-Street’s Riverside Park, County Durham. Just months earlier, it was moored in the grounds of Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.

Inflated by large fans, the panelled 50m x 50m PVC structure was big enough for people to walk around and experience the changing colours and sounds.

Before the jury was sworn in, Mrs Justice Cox told potential jurors: "This case concerns an incident which occurred in July, 2006, at Riverside Park, in Chester-le-Street, when an inflated artwork became airborne, and that tragically resulted in some loss of life and some injuries."

She said anyone who visited Dreamspace or any similar artwork which is "designed so visitors can enter it and walk around" should not sit on the jury. The jury was shown a scale model of Dreamspace, which was brought into court in a wooden box.

Agis, wearing a stone- coloured jacket and black shirt, listened intently from the glass-fronted dock.

No evidence was heard yesterday and the jury was to return to hear the opening of the case this morning(Wed).