MORE than 500 people entered an arts project to have a park renamed after a prominent St Helens figure of the past or present.

Joshua Sofaer - the artist behind the Your Name Here campaign which will see Ravenhead Greenway Park renamed - is overwhelmed by the response.

He said: "I thought we would get about 50 entries and we've had more than ten times that! It has really captured people's imaginations. It's overwhelming and such a shame we can only choose one winner.

"Along with Heart of Glass, I have read or watched them all and we've narrowed it down to a shortlist - or longlist! - of around 30 entries."

Each entrant has nominated a person they believe the park should be named after, explaining why in up to 150 words. Drawings, paintings, videos, photos, recordings or objects representing the named person - who needed to have a strong connection with St Helens - were also accepted.

A judging panel including comedian Johnny Vegas, Afghanistan war veteran Andy Reid and Saints star James Roby will choose the winner, with the announcement expected in September.

Joshua said: "This is the fourth similar project I've done - it's had more impact in St Helens than anywhere else, even though it's the smallest place - it shows how much community spirit there is."

He said shortlisted nominations had been divided into categories - deceased public figures, living public figures, mums and dads, siblings and deceased children.

He said: "I thought we might have got lots of entries naming well-known rugby players but there are lots of very personal, emotional stories.

"Foster parents is a surprising theme that has emerged.

"We also had a few people nominating themselves and a number of humorous entries."

The grand prize will see the park permanently renamed after the competition winner in late summer, with their name becoming part of the town's fabric, maps and park signage. Following this, an exhibition of leading entries will be held.