A proposed £500,000 project will involve writing and perform-ing poems inspired by Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks – but the historic landscape will not be damaged.

Poet Simon Armitage and Ilkley Literature Festival organiser Rachel Feldberg have been shortlisted by Arts Council England to work with a sculptor to create an epic poem inspired by Ilkley Moor and its history.

Rachel Feldberg said: “Simon and I are really thrilled for Ilkley and for Bradford that our project was short-listed. We would love to win it for Bradford.

“But we want to emphasise that we do not want to do anything in any way that will upset anyone or damage the moors.

“If we could find some way of inscribing Simon’s poem into rocks that would be a dream; but you have to work within the parameters you’re given. We are in talks with Bradford Council.

“We might be able to project something on to the rocks and put on a show in the quarry behind the Cow and Calf.”

The Cow and Calf rocks are covered in graffiti at a lower level.

It is envisaged that comm-unities and young people across Yorkshire will work with poets, calligraphers and stonemasons to create their own linked poems, reflecting the relation-ship between people and places.

These works could then be cut into special paving stones in the region’s streets and parks.

Arts Council England is offering 12 regional commissions worth a total of £6 million for art works to mark the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Each shortlisted project gets £5,000 development money. The final presentation takes place at the end of September and the Arts Council makes its decisions in early October.