AN ASTROLOGICAL psychologist from Knutsford will stand on a plinth in Trafalgar Square and reflect on the world’s needs.

Joyce Hopewell, 63, is one of 2,400 people who have been chosen to take part in Antony Gormley’s living monument in London.

“I’m obviously apprehensive and it’s a challenge. I’m going to need courage to do it,” she said.

The fourth plinth was originally built in 1841 for an equestrian monument, but there was not enough money to create the statue.

Since 1998 the empty plinth has been home to several works of art.

Mr Gormley’s project – One and Other – is the latest project.

Every hour for 100 days a different person is being lifted onto the 22ft-high fourth plinth, which is surrounded by a safety net.

Those who step onto the monument, which is taller than an average house on one side, can use their time however they like.

Mrs Hopewell, of Grove Park, will take to the plinth between 3pm and 4pm on Monday August 3.

She has asked friends and family to give her one-word answers to a simple question: What would you like to see more of in the world?

The former teacher plans to read out the answers - in between periods of outer and inner reflection.

Last week Mrs Hopewell had received more than 50 suggestions, which included love, gratitude, acceptance and goodwill.

She said most of them were concepts, rather than physical things such as money.

“I’m expecting to get more, but I’ve only got 100 cards,” she said.

Mrs Hopewell’s daughter, Abigail, persuaded her to apply for the project and on July 1 she was chosen from 14,500 applicants.

At first the former social worker was unsure about taking part.

But now she is looking forward to the experience.

“My ideas about what to do have been evolving and changing,” she said.

“It’s quite nice not to have anything too fixed.”

Mrs Hopewell plans to take a chair onto the plinth so she can sit and reflect.

The keen dancer will also read out the names of friends and family and the words they suggested.

She said she would try not to look a people who were watching her.

“A statue wouldn’t look at them,” she said.

“Also, from the point of vertigo, it’s a good idea not to be looking around too much.”

Mrs Hopewell has measured out a 14ft by 6ft space in her garden to mimic the top of the plinth and prepare for her time there.

“From what I can see it doesn’t look too bad,” she said.

On Monday last week an anti-smoking protestor scaled the plinth just minutes before the project was due to start.

The real participants will include a student celebrating her 20th birthday and an 83-year-old woman using semaphore flags.

Watch Mrs Hopewell and others take to the plinth at oneandother.co.uk