THE 'River of Colour' work of art which decorated Tavistock Town Hall this September cost ratepayers £430, it was revealed at last week's meeting of the town council.
The display was the brainchild of Tavistock artist Maggie Squire and involved 2,000 colourful figures, made by local people out of recycled plastic bags.
Council works superintendent Les Bennett said the cost to the council was incurred through labour and equipment hire. He pointed out to members that rainwater goods on the front of the town hall were cleaned out while the boom lift to put up the figures was on hire.
Cllr Judith Williams, mayor of Tavistock, said: 'There is always a cost and I think members will accept that was quite a big cost — I want it noted that it cost us that amount of money.'
But Mrs Squire said reaction from people to the artwork while it was on display was 'brilliant'.
And the 'River of Colour' is now travelling further afield as an exhibition piece.
Mrs Squire said: 'They were up at the opening of the new Porthtowan village hall for ten days.
'One of the women involved in the village saw them on Tavistock Town Hall and thought they looked brilliant — she came to me and said "I don't suppose we could have them for our opening?"
'I agreed and I have to say they were all incredibly enthusiastic about it.'
It is possible the artwork will be used as part of a Jubilee 2000 exhibition early next year and Mrs Squire said many other ideas were being suggested for the piece.