Blackpool is to benefit from a High Tide Organ following an Invention and Innovation award from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

NESTA gave £65,000 to Manchester-based Liam Curtin to develop a public artwork for Blackpool's seafront. The 50ft-tall Blackpool High Tide Organ will play music at high tide by capturing and utilizing air pressure from the sea swell.

The sea defences at Blackpool disperse wave power in order to protect the coastline, and this channels the sea into a creative force which is used to power and operate the organ.

Jeremy Newton, NESTA chief executive, said: 'We're supporting this unique project as it embraces a number of different disciplines which have collaborated to create a work that is truly innovative and which could set new standards in public art.'

The organ is designed to have a number of direct and indirect educational benefits, including the development of schools programmes, music workshops and a greater understanding of environmental issues and natural forces.

Expected to be in place by September, the organ will take its place alongside four existing sculptures on the South Shore Promenade. Around 12 more pieces of sculpture are planned.