STATUES of "grotesque" dogs cast from old Wellington boots have cost an estimated £30,000 as part of town centre improvements in Redruth.

The Tinners Hounds, which the statues have been labelled, were designed by artist David Kemp but have been described by many as a waste of public money.

The town centre improvements - costing a total of £5 million - are being carried out by Kerrier district council working with Cormac, a county council contractor.

The statues have been cast from old pairs of miners Wellington boots and have been placed on a small stage area half way down Fore Street, Redruth.

The hounds have received a mixed reaction from the public, with some people labelling them as grotesque while others appear to like them.

Mark Kaczmarek, Kerrier district and Cornwall county councillor, is all in favour of the statues and described them as something different from the usual sombre tributes to miners.

He said: "I was in the town at the weekend and there was a mixed reaction. Many of the older people didn't like them and said they were a waste of money while younger people and families stopped to look at them and seemed to be enjoying them.

"What people need to understand is that this has not been paid for with council tax. It has been funded by English Partnerships and the South West Regional Development Agency.

"They are made from casts of actual miners boots and I think they are a quirky use of materials. They certainly made me and many other people smile. Also, people need to understand that there was not a focal point in the town before and now we have this I firmly believe it will bring people back into the town."

Coun Kaczmarek added that several people had said they would have preferred a statue of a miner and he has assured them this will happen in the near future as plans have been made to install one close to the clock tower.

But not everyone was quite as enthusiastic abut the statues. Ron Opie, of South Albany Road, Redruth, said: "For some considerable time now, Redruth has undergone much work, some of which has been beneficial to the town, whilst other projects have left a lot to be desired. However, the latest development in the main street has to be seen to be believed.

"There are six grotesque dogs with legs and bodies made in the shape of rubber boots and these are supposed to represent miners. I pity the poor miner that identifies himself with one of these dogs.

"Apparently they are Geevor Hounds and all I can say is that Geevor would be welcome to them, in fact the further they stray from Redruth the better. Redruth will become a laughing stock and I feel that these animals are an insult to the town and to the miners they are supposed to represent. They are made of bronze and cost a staggering £30,000."

Albert Bell, of Eaton Terrace, Redruth, said: "It is a waste of time and money. I expect what they have spent on all of this would keep me and several other pensioners going for 12 months. It is a joke."

Arthur Nicholas, of Redruth, added: "It is a waste of money, not just the statues but all of the work. How long will it last? All I can say is I hope they are glued down well because someone will steal them if not."

Trisha Burgess, of West End, Redruth, said: "I think they are quite comical but everyone I have spoken to is moaning about the cost of it all. The money could have been used in a more practical way. The council seem to be doing things the wrong way around as they are tackling all of the cosmetic things first."

Others see the statues as a positive thing and think they add character to the town. Rita Uren, of Camborne, said: "I think they are great and they make you smile. They also appear to have been made form recycled goods which is good. In the world we live in today it is nice to see something that makes you stop and smile."

Jack Kitchen, of Redruth, said: "I think it is excellent. Anything is better than nothing. It brightens up the square a bit. We can always say we should have another car park attendant or something like that but this makes the place look nice."

Peter Bennett, Redruth town clerk, said that the council had not received much feedback on the statues yet as the work was only completed on Friday.

He said: "It is still early days yet. We have had emails inquiring about them and what they represent but no real feedback to suggest that people like them or not. Time will tell."

Redruth councillor Graeme Hicks said: "The public art enhancements, such as the wellington hounds, which cleverly reflects the mining heritage of the area, albeit in a less conventional way, is the real icing on the regeneration cake. I have little doubt that these little characters will be welcomed and cherished by the vast majority of the public.

"It's all about making Redruth a much more attractive place for people to visit and shop. Clearly this will have positive benefits for local traders as well as encouraging more business to locate and flourish in the town centre."

Councillor Carolyn Rule agreed: "The bronze hounds retain the humorous friendly quality of the original rubber hounds standing eager to meet new friends as they are newly released to frolic in the town squares!

"I would encourage people to come and meet the hounds and experience shopping in this architecturally rich town which boasts a range of quality independent stores as well as bars and cafes and cinema."