It will cost �95,000 to transform the North Bay

The piece, known as the Scarborough Wave, will have 21 sets of 10m high spurs with blue lights on the top.

Town councillor David Jeffels admits the wave has its critics but he is confident it will become an attraction.

"If there hadn't been any controversy, it would have been a very, very bland piece of sculpture," he said.

Each prong of the sculpture will be tuned so that when the wind blows through it, a note is emitted.

Tourist attraction

Mr Jeffels hopes the artwork will attract national attention.

"You only have to think of the Angel of the North for instance, that was surrounded by controversy at the time and look what an icon it has become for the North East," he said.

"We have had the criticism but I think when people see it, it is going to become a real attraction."

The artwork will be built along the straight stretch of Marine Drive and the design's aim is to encapsulate the power of waves.

The town council approved planning permission for the sculpture last week.