Television celebrity Loyd Grossman has urged a developer not to remove four bronze busts said to be worth more than £2.5million.

Mr Grossman, former presenter of Masterchef and ex-house guide in Through The Keyhole, warned that the Desert Quartet in Worthing town centre was at risk.

Humphrey Avon, developer of the Montague Centre shopping and housing complex on which the work by Dame Elisabeth Frink is situated, wants to replace the giant heads with new sculptures.

But he faces opposition from conservationists who claim the busts, unveiled in 1990, were a "gift" to the town, which Mr Avon strenuously refutes.

Mr Grossman, chairman of the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA) pressure group, said: "It seems that in this case, one of the most important post-war works of art in Britain is at risk.

"Given the circumstances in which Desert Quartet was commissioned, especially for the site on which it stands, the PMSA and the Twentieth Century Society, in association with the Worthing Society, are to be supported in their campaign to safeguard the sculpture and to retain its place on its original site.

"lt is important to re-affirm the public responsibility of the original donor to maintain the presence of these powerful portraits."

Conservation groups are trying to get the sculptures "spot-listed" in a bid to prevent their removal to an as yet unspecified location.

Mr Grossman, who has also given his name to a range of pasta sauces sold in major supermarkets, said: "It is incredibly important for people to realise how public art makes a great contribution to the community.

"Public art is really one of the things that gives people a sense of place and community, and a sense of value.

"Isn't it wonderful that someone in the past was public-spirited enough to think these great works of art ought to be available to everyone?

"How could we think about taking them out of the public realm?"

He said it was surprising to find such fine sculptures on a shopping centre in Worthing, but added: "That surprise adds to the value of them and the power of them."

Mr Avon launched a competition, with a £10,000 first prize, to find a set of sculptures to replace the Desert Quartet, which, according to conservationists, would command a minimum £2 million reserve price if they ever came up for auction.

The winner has been chosen, but his identity, and his works, have not yet been revealed to the public.

When the Desert Quartet was unveiled 17 years ago, it was greeted with scorn by most people who thought the busts were ugly.

Mr Avon tried several years ago to have them taken down and relocated to his garden in Bramber, but planners refused him permission, a decision upheld on appeal.

Council planners would have to approve any new sculptures before they were installed.

Mr Avon has not said what would happen to the Desert Quartet if it was removed.

Do you agree with Loyd Grossman or do you think the statues should be taken down? Have your say below.

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