PLANS to build a bronze statue in honour of Sir Steven Redgrave have been tarnished after community figures panned the idea.

The Marlow Society and Marlow town councillor Frank Sweatman have spoken out against the effigy claiming the money could be better spent on a more suitable tribute.

The comments came at a Marlow Town Centre Forum meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Sweatman said: "I have not heard one person in favour of the proposal. It is not because they don't admire him but think it is inappropriate for someone at 36 or 37 to have a statue erected in their honour."

The group behind the statue, of which Sir Steven's father is a member, has just lodged a planning application with Wycombe District Council for the larger than life sculpture.

The plan is to place it by the flower bed outside the Higginson Room at Court Garden, looking on to the river towards Henley.

Ian Berrido, a spokesman for the Redgrave Tribute Appeal, responded to the criticism.

He said: "You are always going to get people who will say the money would be better spent on something else. You can put up an argument against any proposal. We feel this an appropriate scheme and something not just for the year to 2001 but for another 150 years at least."

He added: "At the end of the day this a grass roots movement and people will vote with their wallets when we launch the official appeal next month. If people don't agree with it then they won't donate any money."

Six sculptors are vying for the coveted commission. A winner will be selected at the end of the month.