Iconic sculpture will finally return to Wolverhampton

Rock Form - which is thought to be worth up to £4m - was stationed in the shopping centre for more than 45 years until it was removed by owners RBS last year ahead of a £25m redevelopment project.

RBS promised the bronze sculpture would one day return to the city - and following talks with gallery bosses it has emerged it will return in the coming months.

The sculpture is set to go on display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in Lichfield Street on a temporary basis, while the possibility of it being positioned there permanently has not been ruled out.

Marguerite Nugent, senior curator at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, said: "We were approached by RBS and have agreed to take the statue and put it on display in the gallery.

"This is an iconic work and we are aware that a lot of people are keen to see it return to the city. I expect we will see a lot of visitors coming to the gallery specifically to see the work once it is exhibited."

Gallery bosses are currently trying to pinpoint the best place to exhibit the statue at the venue.

"It is an extremely heavy work of art and it's important we make sure the floor is strong enough to support it," added Ms Nugent. "Once that is sorted out we will be able to confirm an exact date for exhibition."

Rock Form is earmarked to return to the Mander Centre when on completion of its revamp in 2017, but bosses at centre owners Benson Elliot have said the gallery may be a better place for it on a permanent basis.

Ms Nugent said: "At this stage we are treating it as a loan for an agreed period of time. It may stay for longer, but that is a discussion that needs to be had at a later date."

She confirmed the statue would be available to view free of charge.

The 9ft sculpture by Hepworth is one of only six of its kind in the country and was donated by the Mander family in 1968.

Its removal from the centre last summer led to a political debate that went all the way to the Commons, while an online campaign demanding its return featured almost 3,000 signatures.

Fears had been raised that RBS could sell off Rock Form, although the firm confirmed in October that the asset would return to the city.

The Mander Centre refurbishment is set to be completed by late 2017. It will create up to 200 jobs and feature a new Debenhams store and a complete revamp of shop units and walkways.