New sculptures have 'come loose'

Sculptures in Norwich city centre are being reset because the cold weather caused fixings to work loose less than six months after they were unveiled.

Contractors have removed several items in the collection to insert longer steel rods and a stronger glue.

The stone carvings of a brain and eye reflect the life of Norwich philosopher Thomas Browne cost almost �200,000.

The project was funded by the Arts Council and Norfolk county and Norwich city councils.

Alex Taylor, from Arts Council England - which put in the bulk of the funding, said: "The epoxy resin that was used to set them into place hasn't reacted well to the cold weather and they are just re-fixing them with longer pins."

Wear expected

Ms Taylor said the damage to the sculptures was not caused by vandalism by skateboarders or BMX riders.

"There is always a certain amount of wear expected on them - people were expected to sit on them, people were meant to clamber on them.

"In a public space and they were sculptures that were always supposed to be used and enjoyed by the public.

"You can't protect art like this. We hope they don't get vandalised. We don't want them to be damaged."