Six mosaics which Southend Council paid an artist thousands of pounds to create are still sitting in his studio four months after they were supposed to be installed along the seafront.
The council paid an undisclosed fee to commission the works from Leigh artist Paul Siggins.
It was revealed in January that they would be set into seafront pavement, between the Three Shells restaurant and the Sea Life Adventure.
It has now emerged that the council's ruling cabinet is no longer sure what to do with them, because of a "re-evaluation" of priorities.
Executive councillor for regeneration, David Garston, explained funds set aside for the installation had been spent on seafront shelters. He insisted: "It was always only an option that they would be installed on the seafront."
Executive councillor for leisure, culture, and sport, Anthony North, added: "We have paid for them so they will be used. We haven't decided where they'll go."
Mr Siggins would not comment out of obligation to the council.
Published Friday July 16, 2004
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