PLANS for a sculpture to honour Ainsdale’s place in aviation history have been given the official go-ahead.
Approval has been granted for the development on the roundabout on Shore Road where it meets the Coastal Road.
A competition was launched in 2008 to find the design theme for the site, attracting submissions including pine woods, red squirrels and natterjack toads.
But the most popular theme was aviation, and a 15ft high model of the Lockhead Electra craft, which took off from Ainsdale beach amid much fanfare on May 13, 1937, for the return leg of the first- ever commercial transatlantic flight, was chosen as the winner.
The sculpture is being sponsored by the nearby Pontins holiday park, which has contributed £40,000 towards the £53,000 cost.
Ward councillor Brenda Porter said: “This has been going on for quite a long time and we are delighted that everything’s gone through.”
Building work will start in February and it is hoped the sculpture will be in place by May.
