RESIDENTS of a seaside town said that it is being ruined by an "ugly" new council-backed attraction that they say looks like elephant dung.

       Locals of Hove, Sussex, say they had to check whether it was an April Fool's joke when the unusual structure turned up.

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       Locals of Hove, Sussex, have been fiercely critical of these new sculptures Credit: Richard Chivers/Felicity Hammond 4

       They were unveiled as part of a new housing development Credit: Richard Chivers/Felicity Hammond

       The local council unveiled the unique sculptures, designed by architecture firm CAN and artist Felicity Hammond, as part of a development of 42 council houses.

       They described the statues as a "cluster of three organic forms appearing as weathered sections of brickwork, washed up and castaway by the sea".

       However, the artwork has been met with much criticism from the community.

       One angry local even suggested that it looked "like a giant elephant had made a visit".

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       Others pointed to the fact that the council reportedly has a ￡3 million hole in its finances and questioned whether the mounds were the best use of money.

       They were particularly fuming about this in given that locals have had to swallow a 5% increase in council tax to address the deficit.

       A Facebook commenter wrote: "Maybe housing homeless human beings would be the decent thing to spend money on."

       Another raged: "What a waste of money a pile of bricks, when you look at the state of the roads and Victoria Rec opposite where there are no facilities so people just c*** in the bushes."

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       In a press release last year calling for artists to take on the project, Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones said: "We are proud of the high-quality and sustainable design of the council homes currently under construction in Victoria Road.

       "Along with the new housing, the scheme is bringing benefits for the local community, including a new civic space, and we are pleased to be launching this public art commission for the site."

       The artist, who holds an MA in Photography from the Royal College of Art and a PhD in Contemporary Art Research, said on social media that she was "really happy" to share the image with her 5,800 followers.

       A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said: "We are aware that public art installations can sometimes divide local opinion.

       "But the most important thing is that our award-winning Victoria Road development has created really high-quality new homes for around 40 families in need.

       "As part of our planning processes we ask all developers to make a public art contribution. In this instance the developer was the council.

       “We can’t simply pick and choose which parts of the planning process we comply with.

       “The total cost of ￡26,000 was only slightly over the minimum ￡25,000 allowed."

       CAN have been contacted for comment.

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       However, residents say they look like elephant dung Credit: Richard Chivers/Felicity Hammond 4

       Artist Felicity Hammond said on social media that she was 'really happy' with the artwork Credit: Instagram/Felicity Hammond