Simon Thomas

A scheme to erect a 62ft (18.9m) Celtic cross beside the River Tamar has been given £450,000 of lottery funding.

Sculptor Simon Thomas has designed the copper cross for Saltash in Cornwall.

The Saltash Waterfront Residents' Association said it would also use the money from Community Spaces to open up access to the Elwell Woodlands.

There has been some criticism about the plans, but supporters said it could be a similar welcome to the area as Gateshead's Angel of the North.

The cross has been designed in copper to reflect Cornwall's history of mining the metal and is to welcome people coming into Cornwall from Plymouth.

It would be sited beside the Tamar Bridge in woods which are currently overgrown.

The woods would be transformed into a park as part of the project.

Critics said it was not a suitable project for the woods underneath the bridge as it could distract drivers.

Community Spaces said it was giving the grant to help "local people to take control of public spaces and transform them for community benefit".

The project has also been supported by Eden Project boss Tim Smit, who said it could be a "very beautiful" addition to the area.