THE artist behind a controversial arts scheme costing £25,000 today defended the town centre project as work was due to get under way.

Large ceramic designs representing Bolton's trade and industry -- including a screw, needle and thread and a series of typewriter keys -- are to be attached to buildings around Mawdsley Street.

Leeds-based artist Les Biggs, who has created the work with his partner Lesley Fallais, hit back at claims that the project was "tacky", saying he hoped local people would take it to their hearts.

The pair have produced a number of public artworks across Britain and Europe, and have designed a series of sculptures for the British Council to be used in a secure centre for asylum seekers.

Les, aged 58, said: "Modern art can bring a sense of wonder and dignity to an area and people are intrigued by it. Every item we have created for the town centre relates directly to the history of Bolton.

"This is serious contemporary art. It is not meant to be trivial and the people who have criticised it have not even seen it."

The artwork will highlight the history of an area once filled with manufacturing firms, but now largely occupied by offices.

There will be seven pieces of art, with a further 26 buildings carrying a typewriter key each featuring different letters of the alphabet.

Steel pens will represent the area's professional trades, while a needle and thread will symbolise the textile trade.

The Bolton Evening News is also remembered for its former offices in Mealhouse Lane through the typewriter keys, which will form an "art trail" to give people a reason to wander beyond Bolton's main shopping centre.

They will also be featured in a leaflet available at the tourist advice centre.

Bolton Community Homes, in partnership with the council, commissioned the artwork and funding will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project had earlier be en likened to a "something from a DIY catalogue" by Tory councillor John Hanscomb. Brian Tetlow, chairman of the Bolton District Civic Trust, has also condemned the scheme as "inappropriate".

The artists traced the businesses that have operated in the area back to the 1840s before beginning work on the sculptures.