Stoke-on-Trent residents are being invited to lend their heartbeats to a new light installation celebrating the people and spirit of the city.

The Matter of the Heart, part of Appetite's Light Up Winter series, will feature as part of Light Up Middleport taking place in Middleport Park on 21 and 22 January from 4pm to 8pm. 

The artwork, created by award-winning studio idontloveyouranymore, is made up of 30 glowing boxes, each connected to a person's live heartbeat.

Each box will also be accompanied by a short description of their connection to Stoke-on-Trent.

Appetite, a creative organisation working in Stoke-on-Trent since 2013, said: "Together, they will form a portrait of the city's beating heart." 

Those selected to take part will be invited to a 15-minute session on 17 January or 19 January, between 10am and 4pm, at Middleport Matters' Harper Street base.

The participants will borrow a heart monitor to wear and download an app to transmit their heartbeat.

They will also share a few words about what Stoke-on-Trent means to them. 

During the event, each light box will pulse in time with the participants' live heartbeats, to bring the installation to life. 

Assistant producer Emma Hobbs, of Appetite, said: "Each illuminated box flashes in time with a person's real-life heartbeat.

"Audience members are invited to walk among the flashing 'hearts', each one representing a member of the local community. 

"We'd like to invite people - especially Middleport residents - to lend their heartbeats and share their connection to Stoke-on-Trent.

"The process is very simple – you don't need a mobile device  – and we would love you to come along and find your own heart." 

Light Up Middleport will mark the launch of a series of free light events, called Light Up Winter, which are organised by Appetite.

Light Up Winter will also include Light Up Hanley (3 and 4 February, 5pm to 8pm) and Newcastle-under-Lights (4 March, 6pm to 9pm). 

Anyone wishing to take part can apply at the matter of the heart website here. 

30 people will be selected to participate in the New Year.