A towering landmark in a genteel Kent town, erected to celebrate the Millennium but which sparked a cry of "oh, isn't it awful!" from an elderly lady at the unveiling, could be removed as part of a town centre revamp.

Twenty-five years later, the Millennium Clock in Tunbridge Wells , which stands on four stilt-like legs and needed a cherry-picker to add the final touches, still divides opinion.

Its installation followed a competition by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for submission of designs for a public artwork. An astonishing 97 entries were whittled down to four which were put to the public vote

The clock by Jon Mills was picked, with a price tag to taxpayers of £25,000. It also had the backing of artists, conservation groups and the council.

"Isn't it awful!" said old lad

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