A GLOWING modern tribute to the steel heritage of Consett has been finalised with the lighting-up of the giant sculpture.

The £45,000 piece of public art reflects the image of a blast furnace and thousands of small crystals woven into cables have now been illuminated to replicate the glow of the smelting process.

Artist Colin Rose was commissioned to carry out the work and construction of the 10m high structure began in February.

The cone shaped stainless steel sculpture is the focal point at Puddlers Corner Roundabout, which was the entrance to the former steelworks site.

Mr Rose said: “When the steelworks were in full flow I am told there was a constant glow across the town.

“The sculpture reflects both the smelting process and the glow and the light is also recognition of Consett as a modern, clean town. It is a reference to the past and the future.”

The proximity of coking coal, black band iron ore and limestone, the three ingredients needed for blast furnaces to produce iron and steel, saw Consett transformed in the 1840’s from a small village community to an industrial boom town.

At its peak in the 1960’s Consett steel works employed 6,000 workers.

In 1980 the steelworks closed with the loss of 3,700 jobs.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration with Durham County Council, said: “This is a wonderful gateway for Consett which is both a glowing testament to the industrial heritage of the town and a significant reference to the continued regeneration.”

The artwork has been funded from Aviva, who are investing in Hermiston Retail Park, local county councillors and Durham County Council.