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.
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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.
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