Fresh uproar over artwork

Some of the councillors who originally approved the cash to be set aside for Quantum Leap in Mardol Quay said that it looked nothing like what they were led to believe.

Former members of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's cabinet have also criticised the way costs for the sculpture have spiralled from £350,000 to £450,000.

But Charles Armstrong, former portfolio holder for culture at SABC, defended it claiming it was an important cultural piece of public art, which would become something the town would be proud of.

The now extinct SABC originally approved for £500,000 to be set aside for celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin this year - with half of that being used as a contribution towards the art sculpture project.

Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of the SABC cabinet at the time, said: "I am quite shocked at the amount of public funding that seems to have been added to the scheme since the demise of SABC. What's there is nothing like the original scheme that was intended."

Councillor Mike Owen said: "I personally don't think it fits in well with a medieval town like Shrewsbury."

Judith Williams said: "I just cannot believe it. I think it is an appalling waste of public money."

Councillor David Roberts added: "I think it's the most hideous thing that has ever been created."

Councillor Malcolm Price said he would have thought the work "could have been completed within the original budget".

But Mr Armstrong said the sculpture had been hit by technical problems but those had now been rectified.

George Candler, for Shropshire Council, said: "Once complete, Quantum Leap will stand as an iconic piece of public art that Shrewsbury, Shropshire and the West Midlands can be proud of." Other cabinet members Tim Barker, Tudor Bebb and Claire Wild did not wish to comment and Peter Adams was unavailable for comment.