Artistic plans to create a floral tribute to the North East’s best known landmarks have been submitted as Gateshead Council’s entry to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Gateshead Council today launched its design which celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Great North Run.

The design by Alan J Smith OBE of Redbox Design Group is sponsored by Nova and Northumbrian Water.

It pays homage to the world-famous race and features the installation of a mini Tyne Bridge, constructed of steel and stone measuring 14m long by 4m high.

Runners across the bridge will be depicted by 55,000 violas while the North East’s mining heritage will be represented by a seam of slate.

As the theme of the design is ‘Active and Healthy Gateshead’ it links in with Gateshead being named the European City of Sport 2010. It includes a fully usable ‘green gym’ which the public will be invited to use to power lighting under the bridge.

The Great North Forest also features and will consist of trees native to the forest like birch, ash, oak, while the floor will be planted with bluebells, miniature narcissi, primulas and other wild flowers.

A box parterre will stitch the urban and rural components of the design together by creating a sustainable vegetable garden filled with seasonable foods like lettuce, turnips, carrots, parsnips and cauliflower.

Leader of Gateshead Council Cllr Mick Henry said: “It is an exciting and ambitious project that really celebrates the Great North Run and Gateshead’s commitment to getting active and healthy. We are particularly pleased that the garden will be installed as a permanent feature in Gateshead after it has been to Chelsea.

“It is an honour to work with designer Alan J Smith OBE, Northumbrian Water and Nova – we are absolutely delighted with the design and we are confident the public and judges will be too.”

Chairman of the Bupa Great North Run Brendan Foster said:  “We’re delighted to be working with Gateshead Council on the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show which will mark the start of the Bupa Great North Run’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

“The garden we’re planning with designer Alan Smith encapsulates everything that the Bupa Great North Run is about – excellence, accessible physical activity and the wow factor, all celebrating the North East.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing the project take shape over the coming months.”

Communications and PR Manager for Northumbrian Water Alistair Baker said: “This is the third time Northumbrian Water has supported Gateshead’s garden at the biggest and best flower show in the world.

“We are immensely proud of our region and the part Northumbrian Water has played improving its environment. Our clean up of the river Tyne which flows below the famous bridge is a fine example. Our tap water is also vital for health and fitness – and we even keep the runners cool with showers on Great North Run day!

“We hope that together our partnership will see us on the road to gold medal success at Chelsea next year.”