Sculptor Thomas Dagnall says he has not been able to work on the wooden piece himself because of health and safety rules.

The £21,000 statue, officially called Gauging the Ribble, was removed from the side of the Millennium Ribble Link canal last week after a routine inspection found considerable decay.

Mr Dagnall, of North Road in Bretherton, says he used healthy wood to create the statue and provided a full maintenance programme.

He said the statue should have lasted for up to 40 years – but it was only put in place five years ago.

He said: "I carved the figure initially from sound, locally-sourced oak and it was preserved with a fungicide/insecticide and then a silicone water repellent prior to installation on the link.

"I have tried to have it preserved over the years and it was in the contract that it was British Waterways' responsibility and it was a bit of an uphill battle really.

"I haven't been able to fix it myself in recent years because I am not allowed on British Waterways land to do any work because of health and safety.

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"I was asked for and supplied a maintenance schedule which included an annual inspection.But to my knowledge, this hasn't happened."

In response to the question of incorrect maintenance, Iain Weston, British Waterways North West Works Planner, said: "It's just speculation until we know what's wrong.

"But what I will say is that it's not due to a lack of care."

British Waterways expect to know the reason behind the damage next week following an investigation.

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