Controversial Princess Diana statue is now in a sorry state

These pictures show how the statue commemorating the People's Princess has aged 15 years after it was unveiled.

Today, it stands outside the shop of Andrew Walsh Funerals in Bloxwich. The firm created statue following her death.

This month, members of Facebook group Walsall in Pictures complained over its appearance.

Matty Payne said: "Still looks disgusting and nothing like her."

Sue Bunch said: "Totally agree Matty its vile. Not a bit like her saw her for real when she opened the Manor and she was lovely."

And Sheila Emery said: "It was 'demonic' when first appeared and when altered it still was/is awful."

The granite statue was carved in India and was the centrepiece of an exhibition of burial art in May 2000.

But despite the removing of the black veneer, it never found a permanent home until it was positioned outside the funeral director's shop.

However, in recent years the statue has started to age.

The weathered figure had green moss over the hair and neckline. However, bosses at the firm have since responded to feedback and cleaned the now polished princess.

Jacey Campbell of Strongs Memorials, which is incorporated into Andrew Walsh Funerals, said: "We are pleased to be able to announce that she has now been cleaned, so that she can once more be admired by the community.

"Moss build up will always be an issue with natural carved granite stone but we always endeavour to clean it off as often as we can.

"We hope that nobody has felt she has been neglected as we receive only positive feedback about her."

After the figure was carved it was described by critics as 'demonic'.

A ballot revealed that people in Walsall wanted to see the statue put on display at the New Art Gallery, but local councillors threw out the bid in 2001.

After a string of temporary spots, the statue found its final home outside its creators shop in Bloxwich.

Rushall-Shelfield Councillor Richard Worrall said: "I think it deserves prominence somewhere in the borough, but where it is now is not exactly prominent.

"There was a sort of wave of emotion at the time, but now that's died down, it's a bit of okay public art and we don't do too well on public art in Walsall. I think it deserves display.

"At the time I did a consultation and there as a very sizeable majority who wanted it on public display.

"It's a waste not to make the most of it."