MUSIC lovers will be rubbing their eyes in disbelief when they see a unique piano spring up in Leeds this month.

Otley-based artist Frances Taylor, of The Big Hoo-ha Co, has started work on covering an upright, playable instrument in mosaic to help celebrate the Leeds International Piano Competition. The event features some of the world's most talented pianists, and this year's competition takes place between August 26 and September 13.

Frances, whose striking works around Otley include a mosaic armchair in Bondgate, is one of a number of artists who have been commissioned to specially decorate pianos based around the city for August and September.

Delighted with the task but facing a very tight deadline, Frances is hoping Otley residents will lend her a hand.

She said: "I am really looking forward to designing and making this.

"I was actually a bit gob-smacked when Me and My Piano said yes to my proposal to mosaic a piano, but now I’m getting quite excited about it all.

"The piano, which will go outside WH Smiths in Lands Lane, needs to be finished by August 20, so I’m asking for help from anyone who wants to get involved.

"Otley Courthouse has very kindly agreed to let me use its art room free of charge to run mosaic-making workshops, so people can come along and help."

Me and My Piano is a public art installation collaboration between the Leeds International Piano Competition and Leeds firm Besbrode Pianos, and each of the instruments produced will be playable by the public.

This is the latest in a series of high profile works for Frances, and follows on from the heritage and Tour de France-themed mosaics she unveiled earlier this year for Tittybottle Park and Otley Courthouse respectively.

She specialises in community works, where schools and members of the public contribute, and on making three-dimensional mosaic sculptures.

The artist will be holding two workshops at the Courthouse – suitable for adults and accompanied children aged six or over – to get the community involved with the piano project.

Running from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, the first takes place on Sunday and the second on Monday. Both are drop-in events, and free.

Visit bighooha.co.uk or send an e-mail to frances@bighooha.co.uk for more details.

More information about all the decorated pianos that are being created for the event, along with a map of their locations, can be found at the meandmypiano.co.uk website.