VISITORS to a Gwent town could soon be greeted by trees full of birds. But these avian visitors to Brynmawr won't be birds of the feathered variety.

Made of metal, and costing £68,000, they are part of a modern artwork called Birds in a Tree.

The plan is to build a metal tree and eight sets of birds clamped onto trees in Alma Street.

The birds would be partially obscured by foliage in the summer but fully visible in winter.

Brynmawr Town Councillor Sue Ball said while she thought the birds would brighten up the street and look very nice she wished the town council had £68,000. Mrs Ball, who with her husband recently received a citizenship award from Gwent Police for her work in the town, said Brynmawr needs a youth club.

"I think it would be far better if the money was given to the community and they could decide what it was spent on.

"I know the money is from the arts council and so must be spent on art. But it would be nice if they had used it for young people, perhaps by funding a drama workshop."

Blaenau Gwent MP Peter Law said: "I am always pleased to see money coming in to Blaenau Gwent and I look forward to seeing them. But it might be argued that the money could be better spent building playing fields."

Blaenau Gwent council's planning committee gave the go-ahead for the artwork at a meeting yesterday, a decision which needs to be ratified by the full council at a later date.

The sculptures will be funded by the Arts Council for Wales, which is providing £44,000 and the Welsh Development Agency, which is providing £24,000.

The artwork is part of the town's Artwork Strategy and is one of six proposals for artworks which will eventually make up an arts trail. Blaenau Gwent council leader and Brynmawr councillor John Hopkins said he thought the sculptures were innovative.

"There has been a bit of concern but I think generally the community is fully satisfied with the proposal. This is an area where there are lots of trees and they will fit in well."

A council spokesman said: "Artwork in our town centres can enhance the local environment."