Council plans to spend thousands of pounds on erecting two giant totem poles in St Helier have been branded "plainly ridiculous" by critics.

After applying to funding body, the Norlands Foundation, for a grant, Sutton Council was given just under £23,000 to complete a project to promote community regeneration.

The poles, which will both be 18ft tall, are part of a joint initiative between Groundwork Merton and the council to improve open spaces in the area.

They will be designed by Sussex-based artist Walter Bailey. However, leader of the Sutton Conservative Party, Councillor Paul Scully, slammed the council for spending the money on totem poles.

He said: "The project to improve open spaces in St Helier is welcome news but why on earth do such projects need to be capped with this kind of abstract art.

"St Helier is woefully short of investment, so diverting £23,000 for two totem poles is plainly ridiculous."

Conservative deputy leader Councillor Tony Shields added: "There is a growing legitimate concern among residents about vandalism and these totem poles are likely to add to the problem.

"We are concerned about this considering we no longer have the parks police service operating to help tackle vandals."

Lead councillor for regeneration, Lyn Gleeson, defended the poles and believes they will be a positive addition to the community.

She said: "The sculptures themselves will be coated with an anti-graffiti and will also be extremely robust and not easy to set alight."