Fountain to be turned off

Wolverhampton's new centrepiece water fountain will be switched off for four months over winter - amid fears grit will cause it to corrode.

The £300,000 fountain was unveiled just weeks ago following months of delays.

But council bosses today revealed that it would be shut down in November, and not restarted until around March next year due to potential problems with winter weather.

They say there is a risk that rock salt used for gritting during winter could get into the workings.

Health and safety fears over people slipping over on ice if the water jets freeze have also been blamed for the shutdown.

Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, chair of Wolverhampton council's planning committee, said: "I don't believe this. It is making the council look like a bunch of clowns.

"It already made us a laughing stock over the time it took and it is going to be shut all through the winter."

The fountain features temperature sensors which shut it down automatically if the temperature is too low.

But Councillor Paddy Bradley, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "Realistically it cannot be kept on during the coldest months.

"It would not be safe to have it working when there is a risk of frost and ice."