A GIANT UFO designed to boost tourism in Hyndburn is still looking for a place to land after the scheme was rejected by councillors.

The £50,000 flying saucer was one of six panopticons earmarked for East Lancashire.

But the local authority has decided not to have one at all until a better design has been found.

Now Hyndburn will have to wait until the second round of the £1m arts initiative before the area can become home to one of the new visitor attractions.

But after turning their backs on the UFO design, councillors will have to wait another year before they see a new sculpture standing at the planned site of the panopticon in Coppice Park.

The UFO design was one of three chosen from entries to a competition organised by Mid Pennine Arts to boost tourism, but councillors in Hyndburn said they did not want it the flying saucer, which was designed by Tockholes artist John Kennedy.

Hyndburn was to be one of the first three councils to benefit from the art works.

The other two sites earmarked for the first round are Blackburn's Corporation Park, and Wycoller Park, in Pendle.

Peter Baron, Hyndburn Council's head of leisure, told a meeting of the community wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee a new brief was being drawn up to find a replacement for the UFO. Nobody at any time has said we are going to have a spaceship on the Coppice. It was just one suggestion put forward."

Earlier this year, council leader Peter Britcliffe blasted the scheme, saying the council had not been consulted and the spaceship design was not suitable for the borough.

Mr Baron said: "We did get some criticism about there not being enough consultation.

"We have taken a step back and the Hyndburn scheme is probably going to move back into year two because of the difficulties.

"We are drawing up a new, tighter brief. We don't envisage we will be getting any outlandish designs.

"We do want it to go ahead, there is no intention that Hyndburn will not be party to it.

"It will be good for tourism and investment in the area."

Councillor Brian Walmsley, portfolio holder for arts and leisure, said: "We want to keep this £50,000 in Hyndburn. We are definitely coming back with other ideas. It's as simple as that. Something will go ahead and I hope it's something more appropriate."

Coun Britcliffe said: "We have asked them to look at something sensitive and in keeping with the area, including perhaps something as a tribute to the Accrington Pals.

"I'm delighted the spaceship is not landing in Hyndburn. It can land wherever it wants as long as it doesn't land in Hyndburn."

It is not yet known where the UFO design will be sited.