A GIANT weaving shuttle this morning took its position as the centrepiece for Nelson's new £2.1million town centre improvements.

The steel sculpture, which has been designed to celebrate the town’s cotton industry heritage, was installed in the early hours.

It stands at the historic junction of Manchester Road, Leeds Road, Scotland Road and Market Street.

The Shuttle was created by DP Structures, the same firm which fashioned the landmark new cenotaph in Market Street.

It stands 12 metres high and is made of the same metal as the iconic Angel of the North statue in the North East.

Since plans for the artwork were revealed last year, it has divided opinion in the town.

Some traders have raised concerns over how much relevance it has to 21st century residents, given the systematic demolition of most of Nelson and Pendle's old cotton mills.

But supporters of the bronze artwork claim the town owes its development to King Cotton and people will be happy with the finished product.