Deckchairs unfold the art of relaxation

The Royal Parks have commissioned dozens of colourful deckchairs designed by leading names in art and culture.

Artists Tracey Emin, Marc Quinn and Keith Tyson, actress Joanna Lumley, and fashion designer Matthew Williamson are among those who have turned their hand to the canvas seat.

Throughout summer, 700 chairs in this year's designs will be scattered in parks for the public to sit in.

At the age of 98, Fleur Cowles - the London-based American who was a friend of Picasso and Lucian Freud and the force behind influential magazine Flair - has produced a design.

There are also examples created by children from six schools in the capital.

Another chair is the brainchild of Tim Pugh, a recruit to the Household Cavalry, which was also involved in the project.

The designs are being unveiled today in limited editions of 250, and copies can be bought for £86. Last year, a design by Damien Hirst sold out in a day.

The originals will be sold on Tuesday at the Grand Deckchair Dreams Charity Auction, hosted by sponsor Bloomberg in the City. It includes one by Jonathan Yeo - an artist who builds collages from scraps of pornographic magazines - that Royal Parks decided was not appropriate for general production. Proceeds will go to the Deckchair Dreams fund, which has so far raised £150,000 to protect and improve the royal parks.