More than 400 people have signed a petition calling for a set of controversial bronze heads to be saved.

The names, including that of Worthing Borough Council leader Keith Mercer, were collected in several hours.

Shoreham disabled artist Alison Lapper was the first to sign the petition in Montague Street, just yards from the sculpture, called Desert Quartet, by the late Dame Elisabeth Frink.

Humphrey Avon, who developed the Montague Centre shopping precinct, on which the busts are situated, overlooking Liverpool Gardens, wants to remove the statues.

He launched a competition, with a £10,000 first prize, to find replacement bronzes.

A winner has been chosen, but their identity remains a secret.

Mr Avon declined to say what he planned to do with Desert Quartet, said by some experts to be worth more than £2 million.

Among supporters of the campaign to keep the busts is TV presenter Loyd Grossman.

A spokesman for the Worthing Society conservation group said the town was rallying behind the campaign, which claimed the Desert Quartet was a gift to the town in 1990.

He added: "From the general public there was widespread awareness of the international status of the work, the prestige that it gives to our town, and the importance that we should place on the campaign to retain it.

"The Worthing Town Centre Initiative, on behalf of the business community, has stated that it fully supports the campaign and now many local councillors have signed the petition.

"We urge Mr Avon to reconsider his position. The Desert Quartet is an outstanding and imaginative gift to this town."

Mr Avon said the busts, heavily criticised by townsfolk when they were unveiled 17 years ago, belonged to him and were not a gift to Worthing.

However, Mr Avon's previous attempts to remove the statues were rejected by planners and an inspector on appeal.

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