AMBITIOUS plans for a giant black pear tree sculpture off the M5 in Worcestershire are still on track, with two mystery sites being considered.

A consortium behind the idea says it has reached sensitive negotiations over two patches of land which could become the site of the 21-metre high iron and steel creation. It follows months of searching the length of the county to identify the best possible placing for the structure, which must be clearly visible to motorway drivers.

Both sites under negotiation are privately owned, and their locations are being kept a mystery.

The group behind the idea is also on the verge of appointing a new chairman, who will put together a fund-raising scheme in conjunction with businesses.

It is likely to cost a total of about £1.5 million.

The aim of the project, which was first revealed by your Worcester News 18 months ago, is to put the county on the map by creating a landmark which rivals the Angel of the North, Gateshead.

Canon Bill Richards, of Malvern, the chairman of the group, said: “We have had soundings from various people and there may well be a bid for some grant funding, but it is likely a significant amount will come from industry.”

Neil Carey, who runs Northwick-based Carey Geo-Design, which has helped create images of the sculpture, said: “We gave our time to it freely because we’re right behind it.

“It would be a real boost for Worcestershire.”

The sculpture has the backing of the chamber of commerce and bosses at Worcestershire County Council.

It would need planning permission, and depending on the location an application would go to district councils in either Malvern Hills or Wychavon.

Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have commented on the black pear trees when she visited Worcester and planted one during a stay.

They later became the symbol of the county.