AS East Lancashire is already well aware, public art can provoke huge controversy and debate.

And still more can be expected now that the short-listed designs for mammoth landmarks in three hilltop parts of the region -- at Accrington, Blackburn and Wycoller -- have been unveiled.

Perhaps the most eye-catching and evocative is that for a giant Hollywood-style sign on top of The Coppice at Accrington, spelling out the town's name in enormous letters. But there are other equally-intriguing and stimulating entries -- from which a panel of judges will select the winners next month.

But why leave the judges to make their minds up themselves? These designs, after all, are for structures that are meant to have a striking and lasting impact on East Lancashire's landscape -- and others for three more sites have yet to be unveiled -- and should not the public influence their choices?

We think they should. For these proposed landmarks of the Panopticons project are not only works of art, they are meant to attract more visitors and spending to the region and it is hoped they will have the same economic impact on East Lancashire as the Angel of the North statue has had for the North East.

On show this week at public libraries in the towns where the sculptures will be erected, the short-listed designs can also be seen on the Internet and web site viewers are given the opportunity to comment.