WHEN it was launched five years ago, the Halo sculpture in Haslingden shone out like a beacon.

The flying-saucer shaped artwork could be seen from miles around, standing proudly over the M66 and A56 roads. However, the glowing saucer appears to have disappeared after most of the lights have gone out due to a fault.

This has left many people disappointed including local residents and councillors who gathered on the Top O’ Slate site to celebrate its launch in 2007.

One visitor, who travelled all the way from Cheshire to see the iconic landmark, even said there was more litter at the site than lights.

When the Halo was first approved in 2005, there were questions asked over who would pay for maintenance.

But the budget cuts by Rossendale Council could not be foreseen back then so it would be wrong to blame them for the delay in fixing the problem.

The Panopticons were commissioned, designed and constructed in Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale to celebrate the renaissance of the area.

They must not be forgotten about or else it would be a huge waste of money and hard work.