IT HAS hardly proved the most popular piece of artwork introduced to Poole.

But residents are now incensed by the shoddy appearance of Penn Hill’s much-maligned granite prism.

The feature structure was described variously as an “eyesore”, “waste of money” and like it “fell off the back of a lorry” when it was first unveiled last month.

To add fuel to the fire, the block has now been found to have a large chip in it, while the lighting elements embedded with in it appear unfinished and scruffy.

Letters to the Daily Echo have blasted the “incredibly bad workmanship” as an “insult” to Poole residents, especially given the £25,000 spent on the artwork.

But Poole council insist the sculpture is yet to be fully finished and any chips were simply down to the granite.

Nicky Whittenham, public art implementation officer, said: “The installation is not yet complete.

“The chip in the granite is due to be repaired and further work on the lighting ducts and grouting around the ducts needs to take place.

“This will be a high quality artwork once installation is complete, which will provide a distinctive focal point for the area.”

It was considered an unfinished structure was less unsightly than the large red barriers previously cordoning off the block.

Cllr Judy Butt, chair of Public Arts Working Group, said while art was subjective, the installation and quality should be of a “high standard”.

It has also emerged that the structure is considerably smaller than was originally intended as designer Simon Watkinson’s initial estimates were too low.

The block, meant to represent the area’s road imprint, was paid for thanks to a government transportation grant.

Mr Watkinson said his inspiration was rock being deposited at turns “much as objects are in a river”.