A UFO-style sculpture has finally been allowed to land in Haslingden - the latest part of the controversial panopticons project.

Members of Rossendale Council last night gave the go- ahead for an 18m-wide disc for the Top O'th Slate hill.

But opponents labelled the disc - which will sit on three legs and glow in the dark - a "gimmick" that will ruin the landscape.

More than 100 residents opposed the scheme.

The council admitted the disc did not fit in with planning regulations - but this was outweighed by the positive impact it would have.

Hyndburn Council had already rejected the silver and grey sculpture - called the Halo - for the Coppice in Accrington.

Yet Rossendale's development control committee gave its blessing for the piece, part of the £1million panopticons project to place art in open spaces in East Lancashire's six boroughs.

The council's agent, Amelia Dew, told members it would welcome people to the "splendour" of the East Lancashire countryside and bring tourists into Rossendale.

The application also proposed making the site, a former tip and quarry, into recreation land.

Judith Lord, speaking on behalf of 123 residents opposed to the plan, said the sculpture would break the skyline, impact on neighbouring properties and attract youths to drink and take drugs.

After the decision she said: "Our rural landscape should be maintained, retained and enhanced, not disfigured by gimmicks."