IT has been branded Scotland's ugliest town, with a centre described as more run-down than the Afghan capital Kabul.

IT has been branded Scotland's ugliest town, with a centre described as more run-down than the Afghan capital Kabul.

Now a 32ft-high steel sculpture is to be built in a bid to give much-maligned Cumbernauld an image boost.

The £250,000 artwork will be of a female form incorporating two swooping arcs, and it has been inspired by the town's Gaelic name "cumer nan alt" which means "coming together of waters".

It will be created by renowned Glasgow-based sculptor Andy Scott - the man behind the Heavy Horse statue beside the M8.

The Cumbernauld sculpture will overlook the A80 to the north of Auchenkilns junction. It has been commissioned by the Cumbernauld Positive Image Project, which was set up by Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd (CCCL) to promote a positive image of the Lanarkshire town.

Mr Scott said: "Cumbernauld has always had its detractors and, much like Dundee 20 years ago, it is fashionable to decry the town.

"But I believe Cumbernauld has a lot to offer. Things have changed for the better over the past few years and I hope the sculpture will represent the aspiration of Cumbernauld as intended by the original planners and architects.

"I am delighted to be involved with this prestigious project and hope to work with CCCL to produce a real landmark piece of public art for Cumbernauld.

"I intend the sculpture to be a personification of yesteryear's modernity and a reminder that Cumbernauld was once celebrated as an ideal of modern urban development.

"And I hope to encapsulate notions of the different aspects of the town, its past and future.

"I'm pleased it's going to be sited overlooking the A80 as it gives the maximum amount of people the best chance to see what will hopefully become an iconic landmark for Cumbernauld." Councillor Gerry McElroy, chairman of CCCL, said: "We have worked hard to successfully bring new amenities and jobs to Cumbernauld over the past few years but many people still have an outdated perception of the town. The aim of this project is to go some way to changing this, and we are very excited about working with Andy to create an iconic artwork for Cumbernauld -a further step in the rebirth of this town.

"We look forward to sharing Andy's vision with the public, community groups and schoolchildren at every step of the way as we work towards what I am confident will be a structure the people of Cumbernauld can be proud of."

A planning application is expected to be submitted to North Lanarkshire Council in August and it is hoped work will be completed by summer of next year.

Andy's Mackintosh dream for city centre

ANDY SCOTT has been leading a campaign to have a statue of renowned Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh erected in George Square. The sculptor feels it is time Glasgow paid proper tribute to the huge influence the designer had on the city. He has already drawn up sketches of how the finished statue might look and has suggested the City Centre as a fitting location. His idea has been supported by the city council, Glasgow School of Art and leading architectural firm Keppie, where Mackintosh worked between 1889 and 1913. Mr Scott has already been in touch with a foundry which has given him prices for the casting processes.