PLANS to erect a giant metal sculpture outside the Olympic Park have met with a mixed reception.

The 115-metre structure, designed by artist Anish Kapoor and entitled “Orbit”, will be made from a continuous looping lattice of steel tubing and will cost almost £20million.

Reporter CLAIRE HACK spoke to residents and shoppers in Wanstead to find out what they thought.

Henry Franklin, 87, of Grove Hill, South Woodford, said: “I just can't make head nor tail of it.

“What's going to happen when the Olympics have finished? It will probably be scrapped.”

His wife, Yvonne, 81, added: “I don't think much of it – they could have done something better.”

But John Sankey, 77, of The Avenue, Wanstead, said he was impressed with the design.

He said: “I like its originality and its uniqueness – it's something to keep the memory going.”

Ara Bazmi, 36, of Blake Hall Road, Wanstead, disagreed, saying he felt the structure was not in keeping with the rest of the London skyline.

He said: “I don't like it at all. The figure doesn't go with other things in London at all. It's just too much – I don't like the shape.”

And Rochelle Fisher, 68, of Royston Gardens, Ilford, went a step further, saying the sculpture will be a waste of money, along with the Games as a whole.

She said: “It's laughable. I think the Olympics are a waste of time. We'll be lucky if we come out with two golds. It's utterly disgusting.

“They say there isn't enough money to stop children being killed and then there's this.”

But Patricia Head, 46, of New Wanstead, preferred to reserve judgement while plans are still on paper.

She said: “I think it will be good but seeing it in real life, it will probably look better.

“You can't tell from a piece of paper.”

The sculpture, to be completed in time for the Games, is set to be taller than the Statue of Liberty and £16million of the cost will be contributed by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal from his company ArcelorMittal.

The final £3.1million will be paid for by the London Development Agency.