Mike's hour in the spotlight as piece of art

Computer consultant Mike Holmes from Lincoln is to have an hour of fame as a piece of living public art in central London.

Mike Holmes, who lives in Lilford Close in Glebe Park, is one of just 2,400 people across the country to be chosen to take part in Angel of the North artist Antony Gormley's latest project.

He will stand on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square for an hour on Wednesday, July 8.

Mr Holmes, who runs city consultancy firm Holmes Consultancy, said he is still recovering from the shock of getting a place.

"I am very excited about having a chance to take part in this unique event," he said. "However I am not that keen on heights, so stepping out onto the 22ft high plinth is going to be a challenge in itself."

The art project, called One and Other, has been commissioned by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and will see a different person take to the plinth every hour for 100 days.

Over 14,500 applications were received from people all over the country.

And another county resident, housewife Rachel Wardell (35) from Sleaford, will also have 60 minutes of fame.

She will be the first person ever onto the pillar when she steps out at 9am on Monday.

Ms Wardell said she has no great involvement in the arts but felt moved to get involved with the project.

"I'm a stay-at-home mum with two young children and I like the idea of the arts being inclusive rather than exclusive," she said.

"I wanted to be able to represent normal, everyday stay-at-home mums who are not normally a feature of major artworks."

For the full story see Saturday's Lincolnshire Echo