TWELVE years ago I was stunned by the beauty of the life-like pit pony sculpted by the artist Marjan Wouda and the children of Leigh CE Junior School.

I loved the symbol of Leigh's mining past and admired it every time I went into the Spinning Gate mall where it had pride of place.

Even when it was demoted to the market hall entrance four years ago it was still an imposing sculpture.

Now it has gone, given away by the council to go to a good, new home at the Astley Green Mining Museum where, fittingly, plans were made for it to be housed in surroundings comparable to life down the pit.

Nothing wrong with that, but I must admit that I wasn't a happy bunny when I heard the sculpture had been cast aside. Neither were headmaster Mr Brian Fawcett and his staff, who had watched their children work on the gem for the people of Leigh, and strongly believe it should remain on show in the town.

I'm appalled at the lack of consideration shown, though the council claim if they hadn't adopted it four years ago it would have ended up in the bin. How sad.

I'd have thought whoever gave the work away would have had the decency, before deciding its future outside Leigh, to ask the school if they would like it back to display there.

However the good news is that the museum, which did not know the statue's history, says it is sad, but willing, to return it to the school if they really want it.

Personally I would like to see it have pride of place where I can admire it. It's a more fitting tribute to Leigh's past than our new cone in Bradshawgate.

What do you think? Should the pony stay at the museum or come back to Leigh for all to see?

Write to me at The Journal 44-46, Railway Road, Leigh, WN7 4AT or email me at lesley.richards@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.