BBC News
Published
image captionThe artwork is inspired by sea goddesses not mermaids, says the artist
Placing a "mermaid" statue in Blackpool town centre could bring the resort "bad luck", a councillor has warned.
The £35,000 Call From The Sea artwork is planned for Talbot Square close to the town hall.
Conservative group leader Tony Williams said it was bad timing to spend thousands of pounds on an "unlucky omen" during a pandemic.
Labour-run Blackpool Council said the statue is part of plans to regenerate the town and is funded by grants.
Writing on social media, Mr Williams said the mythical sea creatures often appear in British folklore as omens of ill fortune "foretelling disaster and provoking it".