In four months, 6,000 people from across the globe have helped to build what appears to be the world's largest sculpture.

The ambitious artwork has drawn people from 60 countries - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

However, they do not have to travel far or get their hands dirty because the work is a virtual structure, being nurtured on the internet.

Iconobloc was set up by Brighton-based Thunk agency founders Simon Beales and Ben Wheatley in July.

There have been more than two million hits on the site.

The structure acts as a virtual pet because, if you do not look after it, it gets fed up, leaves and is adopted by a fellow sculptor.

Mr Beales, 37, said: "It is a great way to encourage people to get involved and be creative."

To add to the online sculpture, users pick a shape from the web site, assign it a set of character traits and name it.

The Iconobloc can be printed out and assembled into their own personal three-dimensional piece of the mammoth creation.

What is more, like Japanese Tamagotchi computerised pets, you can nurture your online block through emails, which help the structure evolve.

Co-founder Mr Wheatley, 30, who studied fine art at Brighton University, said: "My personal favourite part is the gallery, where people from all over the world have sent in photos of themselves with their individual blocks."

Anyone interested in contributing to the virtual sculpture can visit: www.iconobloc.com