A row has erupted over a newly painted sculpture and bench in a North Staffordshire village.

Now a meeting has been called by the parish council to discuss the next steps, as villagers call for the paint to be removed.

The bench and sculpture was carved from a fallen chestnut tree which was uprooted during Storm Bert in 2024. The tree stood for more than two centuries opposite The Old Hall Country House, next to the River Lea in Madeley.

The bench was dedicated to former borough mayor Barry Panter, who died in a car crash last year. Newcastle Borough Council, which has responsibility for the bench and sculpture, said it regards them as a personal project for some parish councillors and said the ongoing debate is a local matter.

A spokesman for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: "As the bench and sculpture stand on our land we have inherited the ongoing responsibility for them, however to all intents and purposes we regard this as the personal project of some Madeley parish councillors, paid for by the parish council, in memory of a former friend and colleague, the late Mayor.

"We understand that the recent work has been carried out by members of the community acting by themselves in good faith – and that the work is still to be completed.

"We think the debate as to whether the bench and sculpture should be painted, or wood stained, is very much a local matter. We are happy for the artist and community to debate this and reach a conclusion."

Villagers in Madeley are divided on the issue; however, with some calling for the bench and sculpture to be returned to their original appearance.

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Resident Jim Cornes said: "I think painting them removes the link with our heritage. I don't think there was anything wrong in the first place; hopefully we can restore them to how they were intended."

However, Hannah Williams said: "I think some people have overreacted really. I actually think it looks good. I understand people may not like it but it's all a matter of preference.

In response to concerns, Madeley Parish Council has called an extraordinary general meeting on Friday to give residents the opportunity to speak about the issue. The parish council will then decide what action it can take.

The parish council previously said: "These items do not belong to Madeley Parish Council. Following discussions last year, ownership of the bench and sculpture transferred to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

"As a result the parish council has no right, nor ability, to do any works whatsoever to those pieces of artwork.

"In this instance, the Parish Council did not carry out this work, and had no authority to do so. Borough council consent would be needed for the parish to do any works to the items and such consent has neither been sought, nor granted to Madeley Parish Council.