THE 'imposing' Spirit of Sport traffic island has been named roundabout of the year and will be featured on the front page of a prestigious calendar.

The roundabout in Middlebrook featuring the impressive 30m high sculpture dedicated to Bolton's supported community was awarded the accolade by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society (UKRAS).

As well as being named the best in the country, it will be featured in the society's calendar in the 'highly coveted' December page.

Kevin Beresford, president of the UKRAS, said: "It is the highest accolade that can be given to a roundabout.

"I just found the Spirit of Sport at random. I travel the length and breadth of the country and I was doing a tour of football statues.

"I just saw this amazing trophy-like sculpture and as I was going towards it I was praying for it to be on a roundabout.

"It is such an imposing sculpture and I was just fascinated by it because it has all these people on who contributed to sport.

"It just goes to show what you can put on a roundabout."

The committee decided this would be the roundabout to front next year's calendar despite stiff competition from an island in High Street in Battle, which commemorates the Battle of Hastings.

The Spirit of Sport near the Macron is covered 700 images of sporting heroes including Amir Khan, Jason Kenny and Sam Allardyce.

Names were collected through appeals in the Bolton Evening News and Bolton Council, and photographs were taken of participants in sporting activities around the borough.

The sculpture was commissioned by Bolton Council and designed by Eaton Waygood Associates.

It was installed in December 2005 and cost £300,000.