THE largest piece of public artwork since the controversial Angel of the North is being planned - the Roker Horn.

It is estimated the 40-metre-long sculpture, which will be decked out in the traditional red, white and black colours of Sunderland football club, will cost about £220,000.

And the structure, the length of four double-decker buses, will appear as if it is floating nine metres in the air when completed.

The horn, which is five-metres-high at its widest point, will be placed on legs and lit up at night if plans are approved.

And the cone will be loud as well as huge if plans for it to relay live commentary from Sunderland's home matches go ahead.

It is being planned for the new Stadium of Light Metro station, Sunderland. Plans are now being considered by the city council's ruling cabinet.

The horn has been designed by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce McLean.

Mike Parker, director general of Metro company Nexus, said in a report the horn "will provide a new focal point for civic pride and draw attention to the opening of the new gateway to the North-East's largest city".

Money has been pledged by Sunderland AFC and Nexus, but their contributions are dependent of funding being allocated by the National Lottery.

The outcome of a Lottery bid to help fund the work on the Sunderland Direct Metro link will be known in April.