A TORPEDO monument has missed its target, appalled residents claim.

The national memorial was officially unveiled at Whitehead Gardens, but those living on Knowsley Street are up in arms about the "offensive" armament.

"It's a cheap, vulgar and distasteful eyesore which detracts from the whole area. It's a disgrace and a monster and we want it moved as soon as possible," said Mrs Gwyneth Palmer (61).

She claims that residents were not consulted about the siting of the tribute to the Coastal Forces Association. They regard it as a hostile welcome to visitors to the town.

"Whitehead Gardens is a gateway to Bury for people travelling from Manchester, yet the first thing they are going to see is a weapon of death," said Mrs Palmer.

The shape of the torpedo, which is painted bright red at one end, has also left householders disgusted.

"People are driving past hooting with laughter. We all know what it resembles. It's an embarrassment," said Mrs Palmer.

She is organising a petition to get the monument moved and householders plan to bombard the council with letters of objection.

The East Lancashire branch of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association chose Bury because of its strong links with Robert Whitehead, who invented the self-propelled torpedo in the 19th century. Whitehead Gardens itself was named after one of his brothers.

A special dedication service for the memorial was held on Sunday conducted by the Rector of Bury, Canon Reg Smith.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Coun Roy Walker and his wife, Kathryn, veterans and representatives of the CFVA were all in attendance.

The hollowed-out torpedo contains a list of the names of 1,172 members of the Coastal Forces who perished in World War Two.

Mrs Palmer said: "We're not disputing the fact that they were very brave and deserve a tribute, but this monument is highly inappropriate. It should be in a war museum."

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