More than £30,000 is to be spent on bringing more sculptures in Newbury town centre. Local artists have been commissioned to produce pieces for prominent display later this year.

The St John’s roundabout will feature a permanent sculpture of a “couple in conversation”, while another piece called “Somewhere to Lay Your Head” will feature in Victoria Park from June onwards, subject to funding from the Arts Council.

However, two other pieces set for ourisde Marks and Spencer in Northbrook Street, and at St Nicolas’ Church, have both been postponed due to lack of funds, the last town centre steering group heard.

Some of the money will go on signs directing visitors and interested parties to the new works, including the existing £140,000 granite bowl at Lock Island, called Ebb and Flow. Separately, there is also a flying lady outside the new Waitrose store in Oxford Road.

Kennedy backs Rendel on crime

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy MP will visit Newbury on Thursday to see what police and West Berkshire Council are doing to fight crime locally.

Mr Kennedy is no stranger to the area, and was last in town to celebrate David Rendel’s 10 years as local MP. Mr Kennedy will visit the town hall at 11am to examine the CCTV system.

Mr Rendel said: “I am delighted to welcome Charles Kennedy back to West Berkshire. I am proud that our local campaign to recruit more police officers and fight crime will be receiving such heavyweight political support."

Firemen scrub for the tsunami

Firemen at Newbury station raised £6,300 from washing cars to raise money for the Asian tsunami appeal. Staff and helpers were hard at it from 9.30am until 4pm, with vehicles queuing up.

Station manager Derreck Philpot said afterwards: “ A big thank you must go to those who brought their vehicles along to be washed and also supported us by buying raffle tickets. People were very generous in their donations and many brought more than one car along. A big thank you also to those who donated raffle prizes.”

We must do our bit

West Berkshire Council looks likely to miss its recycling target of 25%, and must do more for consumers, Friends of the Earth warned recently.

The council is currently on 17% recycled, well below the 46% managed by Lichfield Council. Bracknell and Wokingham recycle around a quarter of their waste.