WORCESTER'S belated South Quay "millennium" project could now be earmarked for launching the Faithful City's jubilee celebrations.

With completion of the site now on target for the end of the year, city councillor Derek Prodger wants to leave the millennium behind and hold a grand opening as a spring board for the Queen's 50-year jubilee celebrations next year.

Overdue

The scheme will be two years overdue on completion, and Coun Prodger, the city's portfolio holder for community services, is hopeful fellow councillors will embrace the idea.

"It's not a million miles away from being complementary to the jubilee," he said.

"And it could be a way to start our jubilee celebrations. We've got several things planned for next year.

"In many ways it's far more symbolic that it's approaching the jubilee. It's a very important development on the Quay and a very important thing for Worcester.

"I'll certainly be making a request along these lines."

Fountains and intricate paving are currently being installed at the bottom of Copenhagen Street to create the artwork feature.

Original plans to create an illuminated cleft in the Quay to celebrate the links between the city and the River Severn were discarded in favour of the current cheaper scheme.

Described as "a gash in the bank with a light in it," by council leader Robert Rowden, the plans were dismissed when Labour lost control of the authority last year.

When the artist involved failed to comply with the terms of his contract, it gave councillors further impetus to change the scheme.

Water jets

The new scheme is a simplified project incorporating both natural and man-made paving around a cluster of water jets which will be electronically programmed to provide a display up to 6ft tall.

Reckoned to be costing around £400,000, local millionaire benefactor Cecil Duckworth has contributed around £60,000 towards the cost of the fountains.