A HUGE floating art installation will span the Clyde next year as part of the Merchant City Festival and the city's ongoing commemorations of the First World War.

No Man's Land: Niemandsland will sit on the river at Custom House Quay for three weeks in July 2015 and about 30,000 people are expected to visit its European premiere.

Floating walkways, reminiscent of military pontoon bridges and the wooden architecture of the trenches, will link two domes on either side of the river. About three times an hour both sides of the dome will connect to form a unique auditorium, where poetry and stories from the First World War will be performed.

"It's very exciting, hugely ambitious and we're looking to use the river in a way we've never really done before," said Lorenzo Mele, executive producer of the Merchant City Festival.

The creation of five designers, including Scot Graham Eatough, the project is a collaboration between Glasgow Life, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Urbane Kuenste Ruhr, in Germany.

It cements the links between Scotland and Australia as the Commonwealth Games hands over to Gold Coast in 2018.

Mr Mele added: "We wanted something that was reflective, subtle and contemplative."

The £500,000 project has received funding from Scotland, Australia and Germany, where it will move to after Glasgow.

"It has always been my ambition to take the Merchant City Festival down to the river," said Mr Mele. "This year there were a few projects on the river that were all successful."

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Bringing No Man's Land: Niemandsland to Glasgow shows the city's ambitions continuing, following this year's hugely popular, extended Merchant City Festival.

"This is truly wonderful news, it is a breathtaking project which is certain to stop people in their tracks and encourage them to reflect on such a momentous anniversary."

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk