AN Angel of the South or a Little Mermaid are among the ideas for public art to revamp an eyesore at West Bay.

A plea was made for a contest when members of Bridport Town Council’s full meeting discussed £100,000 worth of improvements.

The money was set aside for West Bay by West Dorset District Council after a sea angling jetty project failed in February 2008.

Councillors were told that the council wanted some of the cash to go into highways improvements and works.

Coun Karl Wallace said: “I am opposed to the money going on highways. I would like to see more community based projects. I would also like to see something done with the steel bases which are at the harbour.

“Perhaps we can have an art competition or have them removed. They are becoming an eyesore and are deteriorating. Members of the public have come up to me and suggested something like a little mermaid, like in Denmark, or a smaller version of the Angel of the North.

“They are all possibilities. We need to look at what these bases can be used for.”

The steel piles were left next to wall and sea defences when the sea angling project failed to go ahead.

The town council also put £5,000 aside in reserve as part of the angling jetty project. Town clerk Bon Gillis said that the district council was considering highways projects for some of the cash.

Other community projects could include extending the play area, works on the Salt House and public toilets and facilities for watersports users. Coun Martin Ray said: “I would not like to see the money go into the bottomless pit of highways.

“They might as well throw a cup of water off the end of the pier.”

Councillors also heard that there were hopes that the former chapel at West Bay could be used by watersports groups. Members of the council said that they still supported museum plans for the listed building but that this did not preclude any other appropriate options.

Grace Kingsbury and her mother Angela Kingsbury, who were walking along the sea wall, backed the proposal for a public art work.

Grace said: “I think it is a good idea. It would be good to do something with them.” Angela added: “It would be a good idea although I am not sure what they could put there.”

l What do you think? Write to:

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