Giant yellow flower will be in place on banks of the Mersey by autumn

A GIANT yellow flower should be in place on the banks of the River Mersey as soon as the autumn.

Future Flower, a 15m wind-powered sculpture, will feature bright yellow petals which will gently flutter and light up in the wind.

From a distance, the bloom will appear to appear and disappear in the mist, marking the horizon above the river in Widnes.

It is hoped the ?125,000 structure will act as a beacon, drawing visitors to the waterfront ? although council bosses said it would not be ?the Eiffel Tower of Widnes?.

Award-winning architect firm Tonkin Liu won an international design competition to build the thought-provoking flower.

Halton council?s brief called for dramatic contemporary artwork expressing the environmental and social character of the region.

At an executive board meeting, councillors voted in favour of the scheme, which should see the flower on site by early autumn.

They also agreed to appoint a part-time art development officer, funded by the Arts Council, to oversee borough-wide projects.

Halton council leader Tony McDermott said: ?We had an excellent shortlist to choose from and some thoroughly inspiring and thought-provoking designs.

?Tonkin Liu brings a wealth of experience in designing and delivering memorable pieces of public art in the UK and internationally. more