THE CONTROVERSIAL £80,000 statue of a sword that will rise nearly ten metres into the South-ampton skyline is set to get the go-ahead from city planners.

The steel-mesh artwork, which is meant to symbolise the magic sword of city legend Sir Bevois, is due before city councillors on Tuesday.

A report, which will be put before the committee, said: "The sculpture would create a dramatic form on an important route into and out of the city and would quickly become a landmark."

A site on the corner of Thomas Lewis Way and Lodge Road has been set aside for the work, called Shear, which is the brainchild of artist Eilis O'Connell.

The report continues: "No problem would be caused in terms of visibility for drivers at the junction. The material would be marine-grade stainless steel so that corrosion would not be a problem.

"The woven finish of the material will avoid any problem of reflected glare."

Shear is just a few metres shorter than Gateshead's Angel of The North and will dwarf buildings in Bevois Valley.

In a past interview Ms O'Connell said: "The area for the sculpture is loaded with history.

"I drew on the legend that says Sir Bevois threw his sword to decide where he should be buried - he used it as a tool then it was a symbolic gesture."

Many local residents have branded the scheme a waste of public money and some have expressed fears the giant statue could interfere with their TV reception.

Sir Bevois is thought to be the son of Sir Guy of Southampton, who lived at the time of the Norman invasion. He was handed to the Moors by wicked Sir Murdour as a slave but performed heroic deeds and was made a knight.

He fell in love with the King's daughter, and after being imprisoned by the Moors, Sir Bevois escaped with his love, Princess Josian, and headed back to Europe.

On his return to Southampton, Sir Bevois performed heroic knightly deeds. The legend goes that Bevois, Josian, their horse Arundel and his giant page Ascupart all died together and were buried at Bevois Mount.