Bradford could get its very own version of the Angel of the North in plans dreamt up by Council architects.

As part of a major revamp of the Leeds Road gateway into the city, officers have come up with an idea to create a massive work of art in Thornbury.

The idea was welcomed today by the city's leading businessmen. But residents close to Thornbury roundabout rejected the idea and issued a "hands-off" warning to the Council.

So far, architects have created an illustration centred around the letter B, but business leaders said it was too weak a concept and any work of art had to be imaginative and awe-inspiring.

Angry residents have collected a 270 name petition and are adamant they do not want it on the roundabout, which is an official play area

President of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, John Pennington, said: "I think Thornbury roundabout might be a good place to do it.

"But if it is going to be done it is absolutely essential that it should be done properly or it will have totally the reverse effect."

And David Scougall, a member of the British Urban Regeneration Association, agreed.

He said: "Private businesses in Bradford have been committed to a gateway feature for the city for a number of years and Thornbury roundabout is the ideal site as the first place you see as you come in from Leeds.

"It is absolutely vital it should be a major piece of art and a landmark. I think there should be an international competition."

But the families who won a major campaign to keep the green space on the roundabout when a company proposed building a £3.5 million factory there poured cold water on the idea today.

Christine Watts, secretary of Thornbury Village Residents Association, said: "We don't want any sort of structure on that roundabout, and this looks like a huge one. We've seen and heard it all before and we are saying right from the start we don't want it.

"We got the shock of our lives when we saw the drawing and no-one in the Council seems to be able to tell us what it exactly is.

"We fought very hard to get this land for the children and they use it all the time."

She said they had also heard there were thoughts of putting a community orchard on the roundabout but were strongly against it.

Bradford Council has been commissioned by two boards spearheading major regeneration schemes to prepare a draft masterplan for the shabby Leeds Road corridor, one of the main routes into Bradford.

Regen 2000 and the Newlands partnership board - both administering multi-million pound awards from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget - want to improve the Leeds Road and Barkerend gateways into the city

The plan include improvements to street lighting, shop fronts, extensive landscaping and ornamental fences and paving. It also includes a market and the possibility of commissioning an arts programme in connection with Bradford's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The plan will be considered by Regen 2000 after being put on a display for residents to be discussed with the community.

But today Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, economy and jobs theme group leader for Regen 2000, said she would sit down and talk to the residents.

She said: "All major cities have major pieces of art - like the Angel of the North - on their approaches.

"This is simply an illustration but any piece of art would not interfere with the green space they want to keep. I have great sympathy and I actually led their campaign.

"The master plan is the result of detailed consultation with the communities in the area and many of the ideas form part of the draft.

"The improvements will act as a catalyst to attract more investment to the area and help create a vibrant economic hub for businesses in Leeds Road," she added.