A GIANT sculpture of a horse and cat will be built in Edmonton to act as a symbolic gateway to the borough.

The artwork, designed by Martin Heron, will be placed in Florence Hayes Recreation Ground, in Fore Street, after receiving the green light from planners last week.

The five-metre tall structure will be situated alongside the existing public footpath within a newly created paved seating area.

It will consist of a life-sized horse constructed from thick stainless steel wire perched on a stainless steal plinth. The horse will be leaning towards the base of the plinth, looking at a bronze cat.

According to the artist, the horse was inspired by Florence Hayes and her use of such horses to assist pulling carts up towards Edmonton, whereas the use of the cat relates to her love of animals.

Ms Hayes, born in 1879, was a charity worker and teacher who was renowned in the area for her good works with working class children and animals. She died aged 76 on June 19, 1956.

In his submission, Mr Heron said: "The sculpture will act as a metaphor for working together and is a potent symbol for Enfield.

"As a gateway piece, it will announce arrival in a creative, culturally rich and diverse Enfield.

"As a focal point sculpture, it will be a source of local pride, engaging with people, celebrating friendship and a strong sense of place."

The selected artwork was the result of a commissioning process involving an arts consultant, council officers, ward councillors, interest groups and schools.

The brief for the piece required that the winning design must contribute to the social and physical identity of the area, creating a sense of place to signify people's arrival in Enfield.

The paved seating area surrounding the artwork will also contain 2.7-metre high panels depicting the history of the site, created by pupils from two schools.

A new play area is also currently being built in the recreation ground, funded by £770,000 from the Big Lottery and £680,000 from Play Pathfinder.

A central building will be surrounded by an "adventure space" equipped with large wooden frames, poles, cargo nets, slides, bridges and a spider-web climbing frame.

The area is due to be complete in March 2010.