COUNCILLORS put criticism behind them when they attended the unveiling of a controversial sculpture featuring a bare bottom.

Pupils from Darwen Vale High School and Lower Darwen Primary School, who helped create the piece, were at the unveiling ceremony along with sculptor Tom Dagnall.

The £27,000 sculpture called "Arte et Labore" stands between Blackburn and Darwen and is best seen from the M65 motorway junction at Lower Darwen.

The 12-metre-high sculpture, which takes its name from the borough's Latin motto, meaning "By Skill and Labour", depicts a nude workman chiselling into rock.

The piece, which has been on view since October, has prompted praise and criticism from residents and councillors since it was commissioned.

The sculpture, made from a large sandstone rock quarried in Rivington, took 18 months to complete.

Coun Andy Kay, chairman of the Blackburn with Darwen council's regeneration committee unveiled the sculpture watched by fellow councillors.

He said: "Some people have claimed it is in bad taste, but it is a magnificent work of art that will appeal to a wide cross section of the community."

Engraved into the statue is an image of Darwen Tower, the Darwen town and Darwen Vale High School emblem, an image of India Mill chimney, an image of Darwen-made wallpaper machinery and the Arte et Labore motto.

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