BACK in 1993, when a young artist named Antony Gormley was suggesting building a rusty iron statue next to the A1 at Gateshead, 20 metres high, with a wing span the size of a jumbo jet, there was uproar.

Furious locals complained about the waste of money, the letters columns of local newspapers were filled day after day and opposition councillors compiled a 7,000-name petition calling for the whole idea to be scrapped.

Millions of visitors later, the Angel of the North has become an instantly-recognisable icon of the North-East.

But in the region's rush to embrace public art, for every Angel there has been an Ambit - Sunderland's submarine sculpture that was packed off to a warehouse within months of being unveiled in the River Wear.

On Wednesday, Durham County Council unveiled its planned contribution to the North-East's growing collection of public art - Sky Bowl, a 50ft stainless steel bowl designed by Swedish artist Pal Svensson to sit on a hillock overlooking the city.

To its supporters, it would be a "must-see" visitor attraction which would put the city on the map.

To its opponents, it would a blot on the medieval face of the World Heritage Site.

The controversy which is already surrounding the sculpture - within two days of the idea being floated - mirrors the ongoing debate about public art in the region.

Middlesbrough's Bottle of Notes is now part of the landscape, Darlington's Brick Train is on the way to public acceptance and Sedgefield's illuminated signs seem to be attracting growing support.

Emma Keating, of Commissions North, the public art wing of the Arts Council, said: "With the Angel of the North, the North-East has a history of establishing itself as a leader in high-profile public art.

"The proposal for Sky Bowl is adding to the culture of Durham. Successful art can benefit and contribute to an area and enhance the area. I don't think it is about trying to make a big artwork to attract people from outside, it's to do with the environment and communities surrounding it - they are the priorities."

But with the tourist economy worth £100m a year to the city, mostly drawn by the spectacular Norman architecture, anything which detracts from its splendour may come at a price.

There was a mixed view among the tourists gathered at Durham Cathedral yesterday. John Capiron, a 43-year-old visitor from Melbourne, Australia, said: "It looks like an upside down contact lens on a hill. It doesn't really grab me."

Compatriot Naomi Uytdehaag, a 59-year-old from Victoria, was undecided. "I don't know," she said, "I suppose there is room for modern things, but this is a beautiful medieval city and I wouldn't want anything to spoil it."

The Ward family, from Surrey, were making their first visit to Durham, with 17-year-old Emily hoping to study at the city's university.

Mother Caroline said: "Its very beautiful - very simple and very beautiful. After a while, people get used to these things."

Father Reg thought: "It looks like its symbolic of an English cup of tea." Emily added: "I don't think it would stop people from coming. There is always the argument that the money could be spent on better things, but it probably depends on how much it costs."

Down in the Market Place, Marlene Turner, of Huddersfield, was admiring the city's best-known traditional statue - the Marquis of Londonderry on horseback - through a steady Durham drizzle and was less than impressed. "It does nothing for me," she said. "and if it is anything like that Angel of the North it will be rubbish - it looks like he's working on a building site and carrying a plank."