A BRONZE statue commemorating the founders of the Morgan Motor Company could be erected on one of two sites in Great Malvern.

The statue, which should be in place by Morgan's 200th anniversary in 2009, will stand either in Church Street, outside the Lyttelton Well, or by the Abbey Gateway.

The Morgan statue project team believes both locations are suitable and the statue, a gift to the town, will not only commemorate Morgan's founder, H F S Morgan and his son Peter, but encourage additional tourism and create a place of reflection.

Agreement of the Lyttelton Well management committee and the Worcester Diocese is needed, as the land outside the Lyttelton Well is church land.

The land near the Abbey Arch belongs to Worcestershire County Council. Both sites would need planning permission and agreements on maintenance.

Roger Moran came up with the idea for a statue two years ago and leads the project team. He plans to raise around £100,000 and commission a sculptor from the Royal British Society of Sculptors to produce the statue, which could include a bench where people could sit, or the front of a Morgan sports car, as well as figures of H F S and Peter Morgan.

"It will cost in the region of £65,000-£85,000 and any surplus money raised could be donated to the Lyttelton Well," said Mr Moran.

"If the Abbey Gateway site is chosen surplus funds would be donated to a charity chosen by the Morgan family," said Mr Moran.

Initial approaches to Lyttelton Well revealed concerns about litter, congestion, vandalism and safety.

If no site in Malvern can be agreed for the statue it will be erected in London instead, said Mr Moran.

At a meeting this week, representatives from Malvern Town Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Worcester Diocese and the Priory Parochial Church Council heard about the plans.

County councillor Penelope Morgan said: "We need to keep the statue in Malvern. It should get pride of place in the town, where everyone can see it".

The project team is now waiting to hear from the Lyttelton Well before a final choice of site can be made.

A previous attempt to locate the statue on Link Common, opposite the original Morgan factory, was rejected by the landowners, Malvern Hills Conservators.