AN AMBITIOUS plan to create a £150,000 monument at one of the region’s most historic sites has so far not received any financial backing.

However Craig Hornby, who wants to build the landmark in tribute to fallen miners on Eston Nab, an Ancient Monument near Middlesbrough, has vowed to press ahead.

He said much of the negative reaction to the scheme had focused on fears the 9ft high by 32ft long marker would be vandalised.

Mr Hornby, of the Friends of Eston Nab campaign group which bought part of the hill top in 2014 for £15,000, argued the threat of “no mark” vandals should not be allowed to jeopardise a plan that would be to the benefit of the whole district.

His idea to build the monument, based on 15 of Teesside’s wealthiest individuals and businesses pledging £10,000 each, was unveiled last month. However Mr Hornby has admitted he is already considering altering the plans after receiving a mixed reaction and no pledges so far, although he says many people are positive.

The monument would include a memorial to the 375 men and boys who were killed in what was once the world’s biggest ironstone mine which lay beneath the site. However it would also focus on the 10,000 years of human activity at the peak.

Mr Hornby said there had been a wide-ranging reaction to the plan for the monument. He said: “The feedback has been fascinating to read. It has been called ‘a brilliant work of art,’ and ‘the naffest thing ever.’ The concept itself has, in the main, been well received but the location not so much. The great majority fear it would be vandalised. Others cite inaccessibility for older people. Some are opposed to any building on an ancient or natural site. I even got an email threatening to mobilise archaeology, environmental and pagan groups against it.”

These are all valid points I can appreciate. But I’m loathe to give up on the idea because of the threat of ‘no marks’ vandalising it.” Special permission would be needed to build on a scheduled Ancient Monument.

However Mr Hornby argues that the landmark would help protect the area. He is interested in more feedback. Email craig@pancrack.tv