BACKING for a North-East city skyline work of art, dubbed the Wok of the North, has come from the home of the Angel of the North.

Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, has written to Durham County Council expressing his support for plans to commission a huge steel bowl that would be erected in the grounds of the authority's headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham City.

The 50ft diameter artwork, officially called the Sky Bowl, would be visible from the East Coast Main Line and the A1(M).

Critics say the sculpture is unnecessary as the city already boasts a stunning skyline - Durham Cathedral - which is part of a World Heritage Site that draws visitors from across the globe.

But Coun Henry says he is sure that the Sky Bowl will do for Durham what the Angel - which has become a national icon - has done for Gateshead and will become a "must-see'' visitor attraction.

"Such a project can have a great deal of beneficial impacts on everything from regeneration and tourism to international perceptions of the area and local pride," he said.

"I'm sure it will help to increase the profile of the city, county and region in much the same way as the iconic Angel has done for Gateshead and the North-East.

"The Angel of the North was a source of much interest in the planning stages, not all of which was positive.

"It was important to the success of our project that we did not dismiss the opposition to our proposals, or dismiss our proposals because of the opposition.

"However, initial opposition was quickly overcome once it was installed and it is now viewed as an important part of Gateshead's heritage."

County council leader Ken Manton said he was delighted to receive Coun Henry's letter and the support of his council.

"The Angel of the North has attracted worldwide attention since it was erected in 1998.

"It attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year and is seen by 33 million people a year passing by on the road or train, making it one of the most viewed public sculptures in the world.

"More importantly, it continues to make a massive contribution to the regeneration of Gateshead.

"The reputation it gained for achieving a project of this size gained Gateshead Council the credibility to secure additional funding of more than £500m to develop other projects like the Baltic, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, The Sage Gateshead and the development of the Gateshead Quays.

"This is tangible proof of what something like the Sky Bowl could do for County Durham."

But City of Durham Trust chairman Roger Cornwell said: "Durham does not need this. That's not to say it is not a fine piece of sculpture.

"But we have a World Heritage Site and we have a view of the cathedral from just about every direction that is gobsmacking. This would just be a distraction."