THE two artists commissioned to create a memorial to the Shoreham Airshow disaster victims have given a sneak peak of their work.

Adur District Council commissioned artists David Parfitt and Jane Fordham to create the memorials to the 11 who died nearly two years ago.

The design process is now complete although the final scheme is subject to change due to uncertainty over what the Adur Tidal Walls scheme will look like and when it will be completed.

All the victims’ families were offered the opportunity to be involved with the project, and most have been happy to give their input.

There will be five parts to the memorial which include a seating area where people are invited to reflect and remember the victims of the crash.

This seating area will be designed to offer a comfortable place to rest by the river.

There will also be an archway consisting of 11 individual arches which will be individually styled and finished.

A sculpture will provide a further reminder of the victims and seen across the river it will look like fireflies.

A poem will be chosen and added on railings near the river.

Ms Fordham, 56, of Shoreham, is an artist with more than 30 years’ experience who studied art at Brighton.

She said: “This is not a memorial as such; these are spaces people can use as they need.”

Mr Parfitt, 57, was at a restaurant with Ms Fordham at the time of the tragedy.

He said: “We didn’t know what had happened at first. Slowly shock permeated the town. We know people who hadn’t been able to sleep for a while.”

Councillor Emma Evans, the council’s member for environment, said: “The tragic events at the Shoreham Airshow will live long in the memory of everyone in the district and beyond. Those feelings will no doubt be heightened as the second anniversary approaches. Jane and David have done a wonderful job of creating a fitting and poignant tribute to those who lost their lives. While it cannot bring those people back, we hope it will provide a place of contemplation and calm.”