CHESTER’S Nick Munro is taking part in the Design Show Liverpool this week.

Taking place at the Contemporary Urban Centre room until Sunday, this event is a key date in Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture 2008 programme.

Nick was asked by the organisers of Liverpool 2008 to promote a new design show in his own back yard. However, he wanted to do something a little more exciting than merely exhibiting his work – he wanted to design and make something during the show and so Fast Glass was born.

Fast Glass is a collaboration between Nick, designer Ella Doran and glass makers Liquid Projects. It will demonstrate how recycling waste glass can produce design-led products in a very short period of time.

The aim is to set a world record for designing, creating and retailing a new glass product.

Empty glass bottles of Cains beer will be collected from the VIP opening night party of the show and melted down in public view, in Liquid Projects’ mobile glass furnace.

The glassware buyer of retail partner John Lewis will then choose from three product designs that Nick will have created earlier that day.

The chosen design will go into production at the show itself and will be available to buy from the new John Lewis store in Liverpool, in Ella Doran recycled packaging, 24 hours later.

Once all of the glass has been used the moulds will be broken, making the finished product a real collector’s item and memento of the inaugural Design Show Liverpool.

All monies generated from the sale of the Fast Glass range will be donated to charity and the Guinness Book of Records will be there to record the time.