Keighley-born Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson is leading a campaign to inspire the nation to get creative and transform their old smartphone boxes into art.

Research has revealed that 90% of Brits hang onto old smartphone boxes for more than three months so Three, the UK’s Fastest 5G Network, has partnered with Ricky, rock star and presenter of Art Jam on CBBC, and a series of other artists to create artwork by repurposing empty mobile phone boxes.

Ricky Wilson, singer-songwriter and artist, said: “It’s been so much fun working with Three and showing how you can transform a simple cardboard box into something spectacular.

"With Black Friday and of course Christmas just around the corner, I really want to show that with a little creativity and some patience there is a world of possibility in making something amazing with those little empty boxes.”

Earlier this year, the internet went wild with people admitting that they can never bring themselves to throw away their old mobile phone packaging – even though they no longer had any use.

In a survey of 1,000 Brits, the average UK adult has two old mobile phone boxes currently in their home, with more than a quarter (29%) admitting to having three or more stashed away. These numbers are set to soar come this Black Friday, with nearly one in three (30%) planning to purchase a phone or tablet in the sales.

Aislinn O’Connor, Marketing Director at Three UK, said: “Our research has shown that when people purchase a new smartphone, many of them don’t just cherish the handset, but also the packaging it comes in.

"Artists, Ricky, Andy and Annemarieke have shown that it is possible to transform those empty smartphone boxes from something that may seem basic and simple, into something extraordinary. With so many amazing Black Friday deals to snap up at Three this month, there’s never been a better excuse to get a new phone - and transform the box as well!”

Inspired by mobile behaviours and what mobile connectivity means to them, all three artists have transformed the empty boxes to resemble dogs, plants, birds, digital devices and even people.

The public will also have the chance of owning one of the designs themselves, when three of the sculptures are offered to win in a competition via Three’s Instagram feed.

The sculptures can be seen now on Three’s Instagram page, with full details of the competition to win one of the sculptures to be announced this weekend.