A BOROUGH councillor today launched a stinging attack on Portland Town Council for refusing to take ownership of a famous island landmark.

Tim Woodcock, who serves Weston, is 'appalled' at the town council for not being interested in the future of the Grade II listed Portland Bill Obelisk - the only one of its type in the country.

The obelisk, built in 1847 to warn ships off rocks, could be demolished by current owners Trinity House unless £47,000 is found to ensure its survival.

Trinity House claim the three-sided stone structure is in danger of falling into the sea within five years and warn they cannot fund it as the obelisk is no longer operational.

However, they were willing to pay £12,000 towards relocation costs and had appealed to the town council to take over resonsiblity if the cash was found.

But town councillors criticised the idea.

Coun Steven Flew said at their last full meeting: "If it eventually falls into the sea then so be it."

Now Coun Woodcock says he cannot believe the attitude of the town council and feels they should be proud of having such a unique structure on the island.

He said: "I'm appalled at the town council for just washing their hands of the obelisk. They supposedly represent the people yet they have dismissed helping save what is the only one in the country which shows just how narrow-minded they are.

"All they seem bothered about is getting services like grass cutting back from the Borough.

"Yet if they can't take on the ownership of the obelisk once the cash is found can they really be able to look after the services they want to run in the future?"

Coun Woodcock hopes a trust can be set up to look into getting the funds needed the preserve the obelisk. He said: "Someone needs to sit down with local firms and see if a cheaper quote can be found. Trinity House have already said they would give £12,000 but it would be unfair to ask Portland people to pay for it if they didn't want to."

He added that the Borough's current cash crisis probably ruled them out of assisting and a five-year fundraising plan was the best option.

"Something needs to happen now.

"We should at least make an attempt at doing something rather than dismissing it out of hand like the town council," he added.

Anyone interested in fundraising for the obelisk should call Coun Woodcock on 07900 620309.