AN eye-catching modern sculpture has been proposed for a local park by two friends aiming to address the lack of public art in St Albans. Andrew Carruthers and Morgan Howell have come up with the idea to create a sculpture to sit beside the larger lake in

AN eye-catching modern sculpture has been proposed for a local park by two friends aiming to address the lack of public art in St Albans.

Andrew Carruthers and Morgan Howell have come up with the idea to create a sculpture to sit beside the larger lake in Verulamium Park at one of the busiest intersections.

The two neighbours from St Michael's village, who are both in their early 40s, have lived in St Albans all of their lives. Morgan runs a creative business in Smallford and Andrew works at his wife's market research agency in St Albans.

They came up with the idea over a pint around 18 months ago, agreeing that they both wanted to create a work of art symbolic of the city.

Morgan designed the concept for The Big V - a stainless steel sculpture which would serve as a focal point for the park as well as reflect the city's rich history.

The overall shape of the sculpture would represent a V for Verulamium and have three sides representative of the three stages in the city's development - the Roman Age, the medieval town, and the modern city it is today.

Andrew said: "I suppose it was me that came up with the idea out of frustration that there was no public art in St Albans. And really we both think that St Albans is one of the most artistically-learned places in the country outside of London but we have nothing to show for it on the ground."

He added: "Our idea is to do something about it in the hope that it will act as a springboard for other projects."

Subject to funding, planning permission and other agreements, Andrew and Morgan hope to see the sculpture installed in 2010.

The pair are now looking to secure the several hundred thousand pounds of funding needed to make the non-profit project a reality.

They are hoping to find 240 people passionate about arts and culture to become "patrons of the arts" and donate �1,000 to the project, which they hope will receive charitable status over the coming year. A number of people have already become project "champions".

For more information on the Big V, visit www.thebigv.info