Scary sculpture angers residents

A 30-foot-long "blood-soaked" sculpture crafted by a Transylvanian artist is causing horror among residents on a riverside estate.

Homeowners in Rainville Court are appalled by Man Vessel - a reclining figure with "blood" splattered on its head and legs on a derelict Thames jetty - and have organised a petition to have it removed.

Residents claim pets are refusing to go out, birds are bypassing the area and some people cannot bear to open window blinds to face the offensive view.

Rosemary Hawthorn, 49, whose neighbours include Tina from S Club 7, said: "This is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. The cormorants and seagulls have completely ignored the area.

"My cat Mini is always on guard and looks out of the window in case it comes in. My daughter, who is 14, is terrified. It's horrendous, ugly and should be ripped down."

Janet Fyle, a midwife, said she has suffered regular nightmares since the sculpture's arrival three weeks ago. "I'd like to see this statue blown up. How would you like to open the curtains every morning and see that - it looks atrocious," she said. "This is not art - it's a monstrosity."

Man Vessel was designed by award-winning Romanian artist Mirca Roman, who comes from the region of Transylvania, home to Bram Stoker's vampire fiend Dracula.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Shepherd's Bush, came to England nine years ago. He says the red paint is meant to symbolise the "juice of life" and the sculpture represents life and resurrection.

His other works include blood-soaked gargoyles, broken angels and red-painted dismembered nude puppets.

The figure was originally erected for three months last year as part of an exhibition at nearby Riverside Studios entitled Tribe of the Damned.