A 24ft steel sculpture set to welcome visitors to Burnley will be installed at one of the town's key gateways.

Burnley Bondholders, a network of business organisations who promote the town have funded the art installation to act as a welcome for anyone travelling to Burnley.

Nelson-based metal artist Dave Palmer of DP Structures has designed the piece, which is in the shape of a 24 foot tall lower case b.

Planning permission was granted this week for the site of the former Derby pub just off the Gannow Junction 10 of the M65.

Dave Palmer, said "I’m delighted to be able to create something striking for my home town, as much of my work has been outside Burnley, including the recent 40ft tall War Memorial at Lostock Hall."

Mark Crabtree, chair of the Bondholders and managing director of local firm AMS Neve, said: "Bondholders funded the banners you see on the roadside on the key routes into town, showing our key messages of success and growth to visitors and potential investors.

"However, there is currently no Welcome to Burnley sign on our main gateway into town.

"As we’re proud of Burnley’s success and want visitors to know they’ve arrived and feel welcome, we thought it fitting that we should have our own landmark sculpture to mark their entry to our borough and to make a bold statement that we are a place of confidence and enterprise."

Council leader, Cllr Mark Townsend said: "The sculpture will be very eye-catching, and will complement the restoration work done to the University Technical College and Sandygate just down the road.

"Having the Bondholder partnership with businesses is really helping make Burnley a powerhouse, and we’re achieving great things together.

"The reopening of the Todmorden Curve and winning the Most Enterprising Area award are just two examples of our great partnership work."

There are currently 160 Bondholders who pay an annual subscription to join, on a sliding scale based on number of employees.

The money goes towards funding work to promote Burnley, including a website, visual improvements in the town, PR, advertising, and events.

DP Structures was formed in 2004 by Dave Palmer.

He has a wealth of experience in the design and fabrication of specialist steel structures and canopies.

He provided a full service from production of conceptual and technical designs, to fabrication and on-site construction.