A CONTROVERSIAL sculpture which features a bare bottom will be unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday.

"Arte et Labore" has been on view since October to motorists using the junction of the Lower Eccleshill Link Road and the M65.

The sculpture has prompted praise and fierce criticism in equal measure since it was commissioned.

Pupils from Darwen Vale High School and Lower Darwen Primary School worked with sculptor Tom Dagnall on the £27,000 sculpture which has been made from a large sandstone rock quarried in Rivington.

The sculpture takes its name from the borough's motto "By Skill and Labour" and stands 12 metres above the road.

It took 18 months to complete and a special day of events has been planned at Darwen Vale High School on Saturday before guests move on to the unveiling at 1pm.

Coun Andy Kay, chairman of the council's regeneration committee, said: "This latest piece of public art really is a masterpiece.

"The schoolchildren and members of the community who have worked on this, along with the artist, have created a piece of history to be enjoyed by generations to come.

"Some people have made comments about this sculpture, claiming 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.

The sculpture was funded through the council's single regeneration budget to develop and improve the M65 corridor.

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