TOWNSPEOPLE have won their battle to have nine 1.5-metre works of art moved.

Residents of Hartlepool's Headland had objected to the metal sculptures, known as planters, which were shaped like the bow of a ship and erected near the seating area close to the Town Wall.

The planters were installed as part of a larger, maritime theme art project to revitalise the area.

The North Hartlepool Partnership-funded project also included replacement seating, lighting and illuminated discs set into the pavement featuring the names of Hartlepool's medal-winning lifeboat crew members.

However, residents complained the planters did not suit the area and the partnership, which received funding from regional development agency One NorthEast for the scheme, has agreed to move them. It is hoped the planters will be relocated in another environment improvement scheme on the Headland, subject to public consultation.

Councillor Steve Wallace, Hartlepool Borough Council cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said the planters had been installed by the council. He said: "I am a great supporter of public art and fan of sculptures elsewhere in the town, but art has to live in harmony with its environment not jar with it.

"But the planters, while unsuited to the Town Wall in my view, are attractive sculptures and should be relocated, not lost to the town."

Councillor John Marshall, chairman of North Hartlepool Partnership Board, said: "We need to take a long, hard look at how we do consultation work and make sure people are listened to. In the case of the scheme on the Headland Town Wall I believe we failed."