A REFRESHING new sculpture has been unveiled at a Swindon housing estate.

Sculptor Jason Lane, 31, created an antiques hot drinks vending machine using items from a former Brooke Bond tea factory.

The sculpture, which measures nearly 12ft, has been placed outside Crest Nichol-son's Braydon Mead development on the Northern Orbital Road.

It is based on the world's first solid fuel powered vending machine and is constructed from an salvaged boiler.

Jason, from Bristol, said: "I wanted to create an antique invention that looked as if it had just been discovered after lying hidden for many years.

"I'm fascinated with toys, I've always had an interest in them, especially old tin or mechanical toys. I like the idea that adults can still enjoy playing.

"I also think it's important to have pieces of art where people live and work rather than just galleries it gives it a new audience."

Jason's machine has attracted a lot of attention and has even fooled a handful of people into believing the machine still vends.

The artist was previously commissioned by Crest to produce a series of mechanical sculptures for its Port Marine development in Portishead, Bristol, which included a human hamster wheel and mechanical rocking horse.

Crest Nicholson group marketing executive, Helen Boniface, said: "We wanted to create a stimulating environment for people to live in and by including public art we are helping to forge a unique identity for the new development."

Crest Nicholson's Braydon Mead development in Swindon is a concept development of 2,000 homes, which will form a new urban village on the northern edge of Swindon.

Braydon Mead will be part of a larger scheme totalling 5,500 homes. The overall development is known as Priory Vale, will take 10 years to build and eventually be home to some 12,500 people.