Ilfracombe council approves Hirst pregnant woman statue plan

The statue would be built on the pier in the town harbour

A Devon seaside town council has approved plans to erect a 65ft (20m) statue by Damien Hirst of a pregnant woman wielding a sword.

The artist has offered the statue, called Verity, to Ilfracombe in north Devon on a 20-year loan.

Ilfracombe Town Council said it had given its approval, but added it was one of several organisations involved in a consultation.

It said North Devon District Council now had to approve the plans.

If completely approved, the statue would be erected on the pier in the town harbour.

A planning application said the bronze-clad statue, carrying a sword and scales with a base of legal books, is a "modern allegory of truth and justice".

Members of Ilfracombe's planning committee voted eight to one for the project at a meeting on Monday evening which saw 30 members of the public attend.

Hirst, who has a restaurant in the town, has been unavailable for comment.