LEIGH'S new Spindle has received a torrent of abuse from shoppers.

The £30,000 work of art, unveiled in Bradshawgate last month, has been described as a complete waste of money.

It has been likened to a lightning conductor, a dog post and a booster aerial for mobile phones.

Leigh poet Paul Davies has also put pen to paper in verse to describe this thoughts on the gateway to the shopping precinct -- which should be sung to the tune of Lily Marlene!

Wigan Council leader, Lord Peter Smith, uncovered the five metre high stainless steel cone, designed by husband and wife team Craig and Mary Matthews, outside the PDSA shop.

It was created after extensive con sultation with shoppers, traders, the business community and councillors and depicts the town's industrial history and contemporary life.

It was paid for from Coalfield Challenge Funds and was well received at the opening ceremony.

But a Journal i nvitation for the public's comments revealed that many are not impressed.

Percy Barrow, of Leigh, said: "I don't think it will be long before the local dogs express their opinions of the new £30,000 lamp post."

Another Leyther, Pauline Green, writes: "I came across the oddity the other day and thought it was a Maypole waiting for dancers to circle it, or is it a new way to conceal an electricity station?

"What a letdown when I found out what it really was. The money could have been better spent on something more practical like a cinema or theatre. That would have been money well spent."

Rowland Harker, of Milton Street, Leigh, said: "My first thought was that it was a new type of booster aerial for the ever increasing mobile phones in the centre of town."

John Corbett, of Butts Street, Leigh, said: "I expected to see a gateway to the shopping centre not a lightning conductor. What are we doing spending that sort of money on a monstrosity when we need decent toilets?"

A "true Leyther", who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote: "How this piece of trash can be valued at £30,000 I find hard to believe. Ninety nine per cent of people I have spoken to think it is a joke. The drunks will have a field day and it will be a paradise for local dogs to leave their trade mark."

Mark Morris,of Warrington Road, Leigh, said: "What a waste of money. The councillors should hang their heads in shame."

Paul Davies' song The Obelisk

It's really disappointing if you are just like me

To be born in our little town in Lancashire called Leigh

An erection's been made it's a 10ft ice cream cone

It's our council's late version pf the Millennium Dome

It's decided by committee

That's supposed to represent Leigh

I was walking to McDonalds for my Monday tea

I could not believe what I did view near the Turnpike in Leigh

I thought a nuclear shelter for Red Indians a tepee

Had been built it looked like a real monstrosity

It's decided by committee

That's supposed to represent Leigh

Some £30,000 has been spent on behalf of me

You need a sense of humour if you still live in Leigh

Our court has closed as well as our casualty

We get instead a statue for dogs to wee

It's decided by committee

That's supposed to represent Leigh

A gaggle of druids have written to the borough of Leigh

To discuss the summer solstice and what there's going to be

The traveller will gather outside Burton's that morn

To worship our council on mid summer's morn

It's decided by committee

That's supposed to represent Leigh. It has been likened to a lightning conductor, a dog post and a booster aerial for mobile phones.

Leigh poet Paul Davies has also put pen to paper in verse to describe this thoughts on the gateway to the shopping precinct -- which should be sung to the tune of Lily Marlene!

Wigan Council leader, Lord Peter Smith, uncovered the five metre high stainless steel cone, designed by husband and wife team Craig and Mary Matthews, outside the PDSA shop.

It was created after extensive consultation with shoppers, traders, the business community and councillors and depicts the town's industrial history and contemporary life.

It was paid for from Coalfield Challenge Funds and was well received at the opening ceremony.

But a Journal invitation for the public's comments revealed that many are not impressed.

Percy Barrow, of Leigh, said: "I don't think it will be long before the local dogs express their opinions of the new £30,000 lamp post."

Another Leyther, Pauline Green, writes: "I came across the oddity the other day and thought it was a Maypole waiting for dancers to circle it, or is it a new way to conceal an electricity station?

"What a letdown when I found out what it really was. The money could have been better spent on something more practical like a cinema or theatre. That would have been money well spent."

Rowland Harker, of Milton Street, Leigh, said: "My first thought was that it was a new type of booster aerial for the ever increasing mobile phones in the centre of town."

John Corbett, of Butts Street, Leigh, said: "I expected to see a gateway to the shopping centre not a lightning conductor. What are we doing spending that sort of money on a monstrosity when we need decent toilets?"

A "true Leyther", who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote: "How this piece of trash can be valued at £30,000 I find hard to believe. Ninety nine per cent of people I have spoken to think it is a joke. The drunks will have a field day and it will be a paradise for local dogs to leave their trade mark."

Mark Morris,of Warrington Road, Leigh, said: "What a waste of money. The councillors should hang their heads in shame."