Princess Anne to unveil UK coal mine sculpture

Monday September 3, 2012 7:45 AM

LONDON (AP) — Princess Anne is set to unveil a giant goddess sculpted from rock, earth and waste reclining in the remains of a coal mine in northern England.

The private ceremony Monday will formally declare that the 1,300 foot (400 meter) long figure, named Northumberlandia, has been completed. The female figure predictably has divided local opinion, with one local official calling it ridiculous. Backers of the project hope it will attract thousands of visitors, and create jobs.

Visitors will be able to scale the figure's curves, but pilots flying into Newcastle airport get the best view.

American artist Charles Jencks designed the 3 million pound ($4.7 million) sculpture.

It is near Antony Gormley's steel sculpture Angel of the North, which is about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away.

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