A BID to recreate the famous Hollywood sign above Accrington has fallen at the first hurdle - after competition judges said it would cost too much.

And the scheme for a piece of art on the Coppice was hit by controversy today when Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe accused the organisers of failing to consult the authority about their plans.

Coun Peter Britcliffe is furious nobody from Mid Pennine Arts, which organised the £1million Panopticons sculptures project, asked the council's permission to put the winning entry on the council-owned site. And opposition leader Coun Jean Battle has backed his stance, saying the town is not ready to attract hordes of visitors.

The Hollywood-style sign was one of several entries in a competition to design eye-catching focal points at six East Lancashire sites.

The replica sign was among five designs shortlisted for the Accrington scheme.

But a spokesman for Mid-Pennine Arts said: "The design for a Hollywood-style sign was disqualified from competition after the panel established that it significantly exceeded the budget guidelines for entrants."

Coun Britcliffe has written to the organisers of the competition to say whichever design wins, it will be up to the people of Hyndburn and the council to decide whether or not it is erected.

He said: "What annoys me is the first I heard about it was at a stage where they were judging the competition.

"I would have thought it appropriate to set a few ground rules and if someone wanted to put something on the Coppice they might have asked the people through the council.

Coun Britcliffe said there had been a lot of speculation on the issue since the designs were shown in Accrington Library.

"It has become obvious that a lot more consultation is necessary," he said in his letter.

Labour leader Jean Battle said: "If it had been suggested in five or 10 years time I would wholeheartedly support it.

"I don't think it's the right time to put it up, it's to encourage people to come into Hyndburn and stimulate economic growth. That's all well and good but the economic climate is not right."

Entries will be judged this month by a panel which includes Blackburn-bred designer Wayne Hemingway.

A spokesman for Mid-Pennine Arts, of which Hyndburn Council is a member, said: "The partners are keen to enter into further consultation with the council and other local and regional interests. The panel is very keen to include the Accrington site in the first wave of Panopticons designs but is absolutely committed to finding a design that the local community will embrace and enjoy."

Plans are also being drawn up for statues in Blackburn and Wycoller.

A separate competition will be held for Kemple View, in the Ribble Valley, Top o'th Slate, above Rawtenstall, and Crown Point in Burnley.