Giant photographs the size of double beds are being put on display in Bath as part of a project to highlight environmental destruction.

When work is complete, there will be no fewer than 120 pictures forming a trail around the city centre.

Described as one of the most striking visual exhibitions in the world, the Earth from the Air project will be in Bath for four months as part of a series of environmental events hosted by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The authority says the project will focus people's minds on why it is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 30 per cent over the next five years.

The exhibition is of aerial photographs taken by the French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand which aim to show how human activity has left an imprint, with images ranging from desert scenes to eroded iceforms.

 The council has worked with event organiser, Northamptonshire firm Wecommunic8, to bring the event to Bath, with sponsorship backing from The Roper Family Charitable Trust, the Trevor Osborne Group, and businessman Michael Edge.

Council customer services cabinet member Cllr Charles Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North) said: "Bath and North East Somerset Council has worked incredibly hard to secure this exhibition that will both astound and challenge the thinking of those residents and visitors to Bath who see it. The pictures are simply breathtaking.

"The Earth from the Air exhibition provides the ideal opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the environmental issues we face, like climate change, and to encourage people to join with the council in cutting carbon emissions. We would like to thank those involved in helping the council bring this magnificent spectacle to the area."

The installation of the giant panels has begun around Bath Abbey and will continue until next week, when the exhibition will officially open on August 28.

The display will be in Bath until January 10, but from November 4 will be moved to the new SouthGate shopping precinct.

The council says it is expected to provide a "significant" increase in visitors to Bath, with the panels initially set up through Kingston Parade, Abbey Church Yard, and Union Street.

Other events tying in with it will include a summit of academics from Britain's six official Science Cities - which include the Bristol area, taking in B&NES - in October and the staging of the annual conference of renewable energy organisation Regen South West in November.

But work on the exhibition installation has had its own environmental impact.

David Thayer, who owns the David Thayer Ice Cream Shop in York Street said his business had suffered because of the exhibition as a large lorry had been blocking his premises for more than two days.

He said: "We were not consulted about the lorry being there and no one can see our shop.

"We rely on passing trade and most of our customers are tourists so we have been losing business as a result of this.

"This is serious for a small business and it is bad enough with the recession."

A council spokesman however said: "Mr Thayer was informed last week that the exhibition would be set up this week and what the process would involve. The lorry will be gone by early tomorrow morning. Local businesses in the vicinity of the abbey will benefit from additional visitor footfall over the coming months."