A 10ft high bronze statue of Eof found favour with Evesham town councillors.

But at a meeting on Monday, they opposed a planning application for it to be installed in Market Square.

The statue by Worcestershire-based artist, John McKenna is a project voted for by townsfolk to mark the new millennium.

Evesham Town Council was first asked whether it would agree to take on the statue's maintenance after it was erected, and to apply for a licence to the appropriate authority for permission to install it, depending on which site was chosen.

Councillor John Smith said: "I have serious concerns about it going into Market Square. The most appropriate place would be in Abbey Park close to the Bell Tower where the vision is supposed to have taken place."

He said placing it in Market Square would severely restrict the square's use for activities such as markets.

Other site suggestions included outside the Nat West Bank near the Town Hall and in front of the Almonry museum.

Councillors decided to accept future maintenance and ask their property sub-committee to liaise with the steering group to decide on a suitably mutually acceptable site which they would be prepared to support.

The statue could cost up to £50,000, and the money is being raised through fundraising and grants.