Liverpool landmark to leave

Liverpool's iconic Superlambanana could leave the city before the end of the year, it has been claimed. The 17ft-high yellow sculpture, which has stood at various locations around the city, was unveiled in 1998 by its Japanese creator Taro Chiezo.

It currently stands outside the John Moores University Avril Roberts centre on Tithebarn Street. The artist's agent, Francis McEntegart, has now said it was only on a 10-year loan, which expires in May.

It passed to the Liverpool Architect Design Trust (LADT), but when that dissolved it was handed to the council. Mr McEntegart has now written to the Liverpool Culture Company - the organisation set up by the council to deliver the culture programme in 2008 - to discuss selling the artwork.

"If anybody wants to purchase it, it is up to Taro whether he wants to sell it, he could keep it himself if he wants to," he said. "I think the ideal scenario would be that it stays in Liverpool and it is purchased by Liverpool City Council."

He compared the situation to Anthony Gormley's Another Place statues on Crosby beach, which were bought by Sefton Council.

"They saw it as a great piece of public art and hopefully Liverpool will see it the same way," he added.