AN iconic Northwich sculpture has been given a colourful makeover to pay tribute to the town's brave NHS and care staff.

A member of the public contacted Northwich Town Council with the suggestion of painting over the balls by Memorial Court as a rainbow to pay tribute to the tireless key workers.

The work was carried out on Wednesday, and now the new-look sculpture is raising a smile in town for any key workers who pass by.

Cllr Sam Naylor said: "Some of the council members were discussing the sculpture a while back, but then lockdown came along.

"Then a week or so back, a lady emailed the town council and said 'what a great idea it would be to paint them rainbow coloured for the NHS and key workers'.

Northwich Guardian:

"I think it is just a nice touch, and they are going to stay that colour now until some other kind of national identity comes to the fore.

"It would be nice if looking forward we painted the balls whatever colour suits the national mood."

The sculpture was previously painted blue, but was given a gold lick of paint in 2016 to celebrate rower Matt Langridge, who won gold in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Cllr Naylor said: "There are arguments over what the sculpture means – some say it represents salt molecules.

"But it had fallen into disrepair some years ago before it was restored by the town council."

Anthony Holland, who lived in Leftwich in the 1960s, was the artist behind the sculpture.

Cllr Naylor went to Sir John Deane's with Anthony – but is keen to know what happened next.

"I think he went to art college but nobody knows what happened to him," he said.

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"He's the same age as me, I used to see him at parties and that sort of thing. He was a really good artist.

"He has created something that is part of Northwich's heritage and it would be nice to him know what it means to the town."

Meanwhile, Town Bridge will be lit up at 8pm tonight, May 7, for the weekly Clap for our Carers as a tribute to our NHS and care heroes.