THE artist behind a sculpture inspired by First World War poet Wilfred Owen will tell the story of its creation later this month.

Jim Whelan will talk about his work during a 'pop up' exhibition at The Wilfred Owen Story in Birkenhead on Monday, March 18.

Jim's statue of Owen, entitled Futility, based on the Wilfred Owen poem, is located near Birkenhead Town Hall.

It is dedicated to the Great War poet who fell with 87 other pupils of The Birkenhead Institute in World War One.

Dean Johnson, from the Wilfred Owen Story, told the Globe: "The bronze figure depicts a demoralised soldier, and is based on a drawing by the school's late art teacher David S Jones.

"The sculpture came to worldwide attention in January when it was formally dedicated by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, when they visited Birkenhead in January.

"They chatted to Jim and Prince Harry was very moved by the depiction of post-traumatic stress disorder, which he had witnessed first-hand."

Jim also created the Wilfred Owen tribute stained glass window at Birkenhead Central Library.

Born in Oswestry in 1893, Wilfred was brought up in Birkenhead and is recognised as one of the greatest voices of the First World War.

He also has a road named after him, on the former site of Birkenhead Institute, which is now a housing estate.

In 1915, he enlisted in the British Army and was killed, aged 25, on November 4, 1918, during the battle to cross the Sambre-Oise canal at Ors in Northern France.

At the time of his death he was virtually unknown.

Only four of his poems were published during his lifetime.

But he had always been determined to be a poet and had experimented with verse from an early age.

Among his 62 poems are 1914, Dulce et decorum est and Anthem For Doomed Youth.

Tickets for Jim's presentation on March 18, which starts at midday, are £4.

They are available from The Wilfred Owen Story in Argyle Street, Birkenhead or 07539 371925.

Capacity is very limited and advance booking is necessary.

Details from http://www.wilfredowenstory.com