A MAJOR work of art is being created to commemorate the Millennium in Altrincham.

Leading Altrincham sculptor Colin Spofforth is currently working on the exciting project - and Messenger readers will have the final say on how it looks.

For Colin is drawing up three designs and SAM's readers will be asked to choose which one should be the 'Millennium' sculpture.

The commissioning agent for the the £40,000 scheme is Mark Rubin, the managing director of Goose Green Developments, who says: "Altrincham is an historic town and I feel it is very important we do something like this to continue that history.

"We have a fantastic sculptor who is working on this and it will be a wonderful way to mark the Millennium and leave a permanent memorial."

The scheme - which is backed by Altrincham Chamber of Commerce and the Town Centre Partnership - will be funded by sponsorship from firms, who will have their name and logo inscribed in bronze on the plinth of the sculpture. The 12 to 14 feet tall monument will be sited in the town centre, probably in George Street.

Colin is a renowned sculptor whose credits include the 'Spirit of New Orleans' jazz figures at the Trafford Centre.

He says: "The Millennium sculpture will be a celebration of Altrincham - its past, present and future. It will be contemporary and a figure based on a feeling for the town, not a historical figure."

ANY firms that would like to sponsor the project should write to Mark Rubin, Millennium Sculpture Project, c/o Goose Green Developments, Hilton House, 104 St Georges Road, Bolton BL1 2BZ.

Messenger readers will be asked to vote for their favourite design at a later date.

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