A BLISTERING attack has been launched on "ugly litter" threatening Higginson Park in Marlow by a man who fought to stop Marlow Bridge from being demolished and Tesco from building a superstore in the town centre.

Professor John Griffith, of Spinfield Lane, fears a larger than life statue of Sir Steve Redgrave and a large sundial, both planned for the park, will ruin the natural beauty of the historic area.

He said of the sundial: "I fear it may find its place in the middle of the lawns as a further intrusion of natural beauty."

As for Sir Steve's statue, whom he said he admired, he said: "Few statues are works of art. Life size statues are almost always absurd."

Hugh McNearnie, chairman of the statue committee, said: "I note his comments with interest, particularly when he comments on matters of artistic concern."

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council, which will have to grant permission for the statue and sundial, said: "We are mindful of the number of recent suggestions for Higginson Park."