Sculpture cordoned off for safety

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A new sculpture which is part of a £135,000 art project has been cordoned off amid health and safety fears.

The statue, Beginning and End, was unveiled in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, in May with two other art works designed to celebrate the Offa's Dyke trail.

The base has now been sealed off after a woman tripped on its marble blocks.

Prestatyn Town Council said it was working with the designer and the Health and Safety Executive to find a safe solution.

Dubbed the "Polo Mint" by some local residents, the statue stands near Central Beach.

Nigel Acott, Town Clerk, said: "Within a couple of weeks of it being opened we received a report of a lady falling and hurting herself.

"The sculpture goes up in the air with a big sort of round Polo mint at the top and below it there are marble blocks and this lady had tripped on the marble blocks.

"As soon as we became aware of the incident we cordoned off the blocks and we are working with the Health and Safety Executive and the designers to see what is required."

The sculpture was unveiled at the same time as two other art works, including a giant Roman helmet created by a firm that has produced sets for the Wallace and Gromit animations.

The bulk of the funding was provided by Denbighshire County Council and the Arts Council for Wales.

Denbighshire council said it was trying to establish what happened "and what we can do about it".