Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. First Minister Arlene Foster at the event. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Five-year-old Annie-Mae McCracken with Aslan Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Lola McCall(7) with one of the sculptures. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Christopher Heaney(5) with one of the sculptures. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 22nd November 2016 Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. The £2.5m square, which is being built at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, will mark the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast. It features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron which are all based on characters from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus. East Belfast actor Dan Gordon comperes the event. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Launch of the CS Lewis Square in east Belfast. Five-year-old Annie-Mae McCracken with Aslan Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

CS Lewis Square, the latest phase of the £40m Connswater Greenway regeneration project, has opened in Belfast.

The magical space, dedicated to one of Belfast's most famous authors, marks the life and work of the writer, who spent his early childhood in east Belfast.

Located at the intersection of the Connswater and Comber Greenways, the £2.5m square features seven sculptures created by Irish artist Maurice Harron based on characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Three hundred trees have also been planted around the square, which has a capacity to hold 2,000 people, and there will also be new railway tracks, arches, paths, street furniture and facade art around the development.

The seven sculptures - including Aslan, Maugrim, Mr and Mrs Beaver, the Robin, the White Witch, the Stone Table and Mr Tumnus - were unveiled during Tuesday's launch party, when the author's stepson Douglas Gresham will formally opened the square.

Mr Gresham said: "I am delighted to be back in Belfast again, particularly to celebrate the opening of CS Lewis Square.

"The last time I was here was back in 1998 when another now famous Belfast man, Keith Getty, and I put together a special show to celebrate my stepfather's centenary.

"This is a wonderful city, and it's a thrill that Jack (as he preferred to be called) is being honoured in this way.

"The sculptures are terrific. I am sure that this square will be a great boost to Belfast, his childhood home which he so dearly loved."

The launch was compered by east Belfast actor Dan Gordon and featured a host of local performers.

They included the dance group Ajendance performing the Dance of the White Witch, filmed under the H&W cranes, and local flute players performing the Waterboys' Further Up Further In, filmed at the waterfall at Cregagh Glen.

Seven short films were also shown as the sculptures were unveiled to bring them to life.

A snow machine then transformed the space into a winter wonderland as Aslan was revealed to the public.

Belfast Telegraph