THE design of a sculpture set to be installed on a “messy” roundabout has been unveiled as a metal Mayflower ship.

The sculpture, an artist’s replica of the ship that sailed the Pilgrim fathers to America in 1620, will be installed at what as called the blue roundabout in Freshfields Road, Dovercourt.

It is hoped the ship will give a new positive view for tourists coming off the ferries at Harwich International Port, as it is one of the first things they see of the town, as well as helping to tell the story of the Mayflower and it’s link to Harwich.

Tendring Council says it is hoped the sculpture will be in place by Spring, ready for the 400th anniversary of the famous crossing in 2020.

It is part of a number of things planned under the umbrella of the Mayflower 400 works in a bid to attract visitors to the town for the milestone year.

Harwich councillor Ivan Henderson said he first called for a sculpture on the roundabout after raising concerns about the poor state of the site.

He added: “I’m really pleased a suggestion of mine originally made at a highways panel is going to be a reality.

“It’s about improving the first impressions of the town for people coming off the ferries at the port as well as telling the Mayflower story.

“We needed to smarten up the appearance and this will certainly do that.

“I’m over the moon, I love the look of it, it’s fantastic.”

The locally named blue roundabout was branded an unsightly mess last June after the carpet and trees, meant to represent the European flag, were removed and it ended up covered in weeds.

Tendring Council has pledged £45,000 to build the sculpture after Essex County Council funded £60,000 for the groundwork and plinth.

Zoe Fairley, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for investment and growth, said: “We are really gearing up our efforts now to make Harwich a top tourist destination for 2020, based around The Mayflower, and for decades beyond that with all it has to offer.

“This striking sculpture will really act as a gateway to Harwich for visitors, and I look forward to seeing the finished artwork from artist husband and wife collaborators Hanman Murphy.

“This project has been some time in the making, but now is the right time to install it to have an impact as build up to the Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020.”