A 70-ton crane moved the sculpture into position

The �30,000 sculpture, which took four years to create, was hoisted by crane into place on a roundabout near Junction 20 of the M1 motorway south of Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

Project manager Roger Jones said: "This is where Sir Frank originated the engine when he worked here from 1938 onwards.

"The first jet engine to go into an aircraft and fly was developed here."

Sir Frank, who died in 1996 aged 89, worked with a team of engineers in a disused foundry near the site from 1938.

The first of his engines to take to the air was installed in the Gloster-Whittle E28/39 plane, which made its first flight in 1941.

Sir Frank worked with Rolls Royce in Derby on one of his early projects and had a major influence on the city becoming a major centre for the aerospace industry.

An official unveiling by Sir Frank's son, Ian, in the presence of surviving members of the jet engine team is due to take place next month.