SUPPORT is needed to create a temporary structure which will act as a ‘marker’ for a project to build an extinct species memorial on Portland .

The people behind the Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory (MEMO), which has got planning permission to be built on private land in Bowers Quarry, are holding a free weekend of activities which is open to all.

The weekend’s showpiece will be a 70ft-high temporary bamboo tower which is currently being built at Royal Manor Arts College and will be moved across to Bowers on Sunday afternoon.

The tower, the brainchild of Dutch artist Antoon Versteegde, will be built and transported with the help of the community. People are being urged to come forward and help over the next few days.

The structure, which will be around the same height as the observatory, is being built in the shape of the ‘Portland Screw’ a characteristic local fossil. It will stand in place for as long as the elements will hold it.

Sculptor Sebastian Brooke who is the driving force behind MEMO said: “As the Olympics are here and it’s an international event and as we’re an international project we thought it would be good to put a marker down.

“The temporary bamboo structure is the frontrunner of what’s to come.

“This is also a celebration of getting planning permission for the observatory. We had so much local support.”

Mr Brooke said helpers are needed today, tomorrow and especially on Sunday when the structure will be moved. It is taking shape but more work is needed to complete it – volunteers are advised that no experience is necessary.

It will be moved over between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday and there will be a procession featuring junk percussion led by local musician James Kimber.

The MEMO bell will also be at the quarry resplendent in its new plinth made from Portland Roach Stone, plus there will be carvings old and new and an exhibition of architectural designs on show.

The observatory and biodiversity education centre will stand on a cliff on the edge of Bowers overlooking the Jurassic Coast.

A board of trustees for the project is being established and funding streams are being investigated with work to start building it expected to start in about 18 months. For details visit memor project.org or the Facebook page