A WOODEN sculpture, dubbed an eyesore by some and an iconic representation of Dales life by others, could be looking for a new home next week.

A wooden base on the edge of Bainbridge, in Wensleydale, supports four revolving arms, each with a carving of either a bird or a ram's head on the end. At the hub is a leaping salmon.

Created by the Connecting Youth Culture Project, the work is part of a Millennium sculpture trail from Filey to Tan Hill, at the head of Arkengarthdale.

It begins with a wooden seal at the seaside resort, with inter-linked rings on the roadside near Kirkbymoorside, a giant hand at Thirsk School, a seat at East Cowton and another carved windmill at Tan Hill marking the way.

However, Bainbridge could prove the weakest link when the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee meets in Ingleton, tomorrow.

Members will be presented with a report that recommends the village's sculpture is removed.

Planning officer Wendy Thompson, writes: "The proposed sculpture is not considered to be in sympathy with its surroundings and it does not relate to the context of the location.

"It therefore presents itself as an alien and incongruous feature within this part of Wensleydale."

However, Connecting Youth Culture has also written to the authority, pointing out that objections to the sculpture have hardly been numerous while it has the support of both the parish council and young people from Bainbridge and nearby Hawes.

"We are now seriously having to contemplate that the sculpture that the community of Bainbridge created and supported will not find a site in the locality," warns spokeswoman Paula Greear Taylor