THE future of a famous landmark remains uncertain after Portland Town Council last night refused to take it over.

The historic Portland Bill Obelisk, a Grade II listed building, is currently owned by Trinity House, which says they can no longer fund the stone structure as it is no longer operational.

Trinity House says £47,000 needs to be raised to move it ten metres inland, based on estimates from an Isle of Wight firm, to prevent it possibly falling into the sea in around five years' time.

Calls were made for the town council to take on the ownership once the cash had been raised following a public meeting last November.

But members last night criticised the idea, saying they did not want anything to do with the obelisk, which was built in 1844 to warn ships of rocks.

Coun Stephen Flew said: "We have got enough on our plate and if it eventually falls into the sea then so be it."

And he dismissed claims from Trinity House that the obelisk was in danger of falling into the sea.

He also suggested that the Crown Estate, who own much of the land at Portland Bill, should pay for any repairs and not the town council. Mayor Ian Phelps told members that local stone firms had told him they could do the work needed for less than Trinity House estimated.

He added: "Many on the island want us to become the obelisk's guardian."

But members unanimously backed a proposal that Portland Town Council does not become owners of the obelisk.