A UFO-style sculpture which was kicked out of Accrington has finally been allowed to land in Haslingden.

Rossendale Council last night approved an 18-metre disc for the Top O'th Slate hill as the latest part of the panopticons project.

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

More than 100 residents opposed the scheme, which they said was a waste of public money and would be a blight on their homes.

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

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

Yet Rossendale 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 had put the scheme forward and its 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.

Those backing the scheme said it would be an attractive landmark and visible from afar, particularly the M66.

Yet 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."

The residents signed a petition which said the money could be better spent, would have an overbearing effect on properties and damage property values.

Councillors also raised fears about the lack of parking for the site, aimed at encouraging people to walk to Halo from the town.

Yet councillors agreed a survey be carried out six months after opening to see if parking was proving a problem.