A TOWN centre statue has been put into storage after regeneration work got underway.

The Mother and Child monument in Lord Square was created by Welsh sculptor Robert Thomas in 1974.

Workers responsible for The Mall's refurbishment removed the statue from its concrete base this morning.

The Mother and Child Statue has stood in the same spot in Lord Square, which Mr Thomas helped choose, for more than 30 years.

And his wife Mary, 76, will have a key part in the repositioning of the bronze sculpture in Blackburn town centre although an exact location is still to be chosen.

The Mall's £66million revamp involves refurbishing the existing centre and demolishing Lord Square and TJ Hughes to create space for new stores including two new retailers and 300 extra car parking spaces.

Robert Thomas, who died in 1999, was commissioned by development company John Laing to create Mother and Child at a cost of £2,000.

The statue has been given as a gift to Blackburn with Darwen Council from its current owners, The Mall.

Mr Thomas' son, Ceri, a painter and art writer from Barry, Wales, said: "From my understanding Lord Square has been a little neglected of late.

"Lord Square was very busy in the 1970s and the statue was a central feature.

"My mother will help choose a new position for the statue.

"The orientation of a sculpture, sunlight and other factors are very important when choosing a position."

The statue caused a stir with Blackburn residents when it was first erected as the woman had not been wearing a wedding ring.

Ceri said: "My father had never intended to cause controversy with the original sculpture.

"Sculptures tend to be very very simply and omit objects such as jewellery."

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are delighted to accept this statue from The Mall.

"It has provided plenty of food for thought over the years and we'll make sure it gets reinstated in a suitable location in our newly refurbished town centre."

Loraine Jones, general manager of The Mall, said: "Lord Square has been home to this delightful statue for more than 30 years, and The Mall has always planned to find it a new home.

"It is great news that the council has agreed to help, and make sure future generations of shoppers will enjoy seeing it for many more years to come."