"I re-designed the existing model and I showed it to a group from the Hillsborough Family Support Group and representatives of The Liverpool Town Hall and the council.

"I was given a unanimous vote of approval. The reaction was very emotional in a positive way and I was congratulated on the sensitivity and strength of the piece.

"It is a shame people have reacted when they have not seen the statue.

"The piece actually shows the rescue of a young, injured supporter who is being lifted by a supporter inside the stand who is raising his hands and looking for help.

"The injured supporter is grasping the hand of another who is lifting them from outside the stand. It is a positive image showing strong people helping each other and helping the helpless.

"Liverpool has had enough of the wrong type of publicity and this is an image of people reacting in a positive way.

"It is a complicated sculpture and I believe those comments are based on poor images on the internet, which show a jumble of arms and bodies."

He said: "To my understanding, emails and letters were initially sent out to all concerned asking for any comments or objections within the following two weeks."

The city council said: "The council did not commission this."