By Sian Napier

snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

A Kent man’s design for a huge statue of the Invicta horse
emblem of Kent is being backed by the county council.

Both KCC and Wingham designer Ian Morrison want the giant rampant horse to be in Dover, but discussions are now continuing over its exact location.

Mr Morrison would like to see the horse on the cliffs or on
the hill just outside Dover on the A20 heading towards
Folkestone.

But the county council has said it would like to see it placed
in Wellington Dock as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment
of the site.

Mr Morrison said: “I have had a letter from KCC backing the idea
of the horse and although it wants to see it in Dover it is
suggesting the Wellington Dock, but I do not think that is a
good place.

“It is too small to take a 100ft statue and if we make it any
smaller it will defeat the original idea. I think it will look
fantastic on the hill which would be an ideal spot.”

Mr Morrison said engineers were checking the calculations for
the statue and it was vital that a location should be agreed
soon.

“I would be interested in hearing what people in Kent think and
where in Dover they think it should go,” he added.

“In Wellington Dock it will lose its dramatic appeal. This is
the recognisable symbol of Kent and I should like to see it go up
before the Olympics. The hill just outside Dover would be
perfect.”

Mr Morrison said the statue could be paid for by asking people
to sponsor it in return for having their names inscribed on it.

He is also thinking of making a 10in high statue of Invicta from
bronze, dipped in silver plate in a limited run of 10 and is
looking for sponsorship for this. Mr Morrison may be contacted on
07944 134739.

The rampant statue comes after Kent County Council publicly
criticised a design by Mark Wallinger (above right), featuring a
standing horse.

It won the competition to design the Ebbsfleet landmark, to be erected in north Kent. But KCC said it should be standing on its hind legs, like the Invicta horse.

What do you think? Where should this statue be? Is
it right for Dover, or do you prefer the Ebbsfleet statue? Add your
comments by clicking on the link above.