Burnley Council has until April to find a new home for the huge sculpture which decorated one side of the Thompson Centre and the frieze is still in storage.

It was removed by Mr Andrew Brown, owner of Crow Wood Leisure, to save it from the bulldozers when the centre was demolished in late 2006.
A deal was struck with the council whereby Mr Brown would keep it in storage for two years while its future location was decided.

Under the agreement Mr Brown paid to have the dozen panels that make up the frieze removed, and if a location is not found he is free to keep the frieze or dispose of it.

The concrete mural was designed by artist Charles Anderson for the Thompson Centre's opening in 1974 and depicts sporting activities.

Mr Brown said: "We have set the deadline for April and Henry Boot Developments has been down to look at the frieze in storage, and I believe there are a few options the council is considering. It would be nice to find a suitable home, preferably in the borough.

"If nothing happens or no decision is made, then I will probably try to sell it, as I can't build anything else at Crow Wood as it is a greenfield site."

Burnley Civic Society is liaising with the council to help decide where to display the mural, and secretary Mr David Smith said the society was determined the frieze should be displayed. He added: "We shall be pursuing it as much as we can and we are determined there should be somewhere for it. We have suggested several sites to the council, but we haven't heard anything conclusive back."

The areas suggested by Burnley Civic Society for the frieze are Burnley Bus Station, the canal embankment opposite the bus station, the new development at Turf Moor, the planned Keirby Hotel re-development project and the wall behind the Tesco superstore.

A council spokesman said: "We have an agreement with Mr Brown that runs until April, 2009, during which we will continue to work, not only with him but also with other interested parties such as Burnley Civic Society, to find a suitable home for the frieze in Burnley."

Where do you think the frieze should be re-homed? Leave your comment below ...