A LOCOMOTIVE statue earmarked for Horwich has continued to hit the buffers.

The 20ft "ghostly" white steel sculpture was due to be installed last week at the roundabout near Middlebrook Retail Park.

But the model, designed by London artist Tom Wilkinson, could not be erected because of high winds and pins holding the structure in place had been bent.

The base of the sculpture was taken away to be modified but a date has still to be fixed to hoist the locomotive into position.

It was hoped that the £30,000 artwork, which commemorates the past glory of Horwich Loco Works, would be put in place this week.

But a council spokesman said it was waiting to hear from Mr Wilkinson, who is also the project's contractor, to find out when work could be completed.

Bolton Council has commissioned the statue, paid for by Tesco and Georgia Pacific GB, but it has run into a series of delays. It was originally due to be in place last spring.

But concerns over its safety meant it had to be redesigned, adding £5,000 to the cost.