WHAT new landmark would you like to see in Poole?

Last week we revealed the mystery tourist attraction proposed for the area - a giant sundial called the Solar Pyramid.

But we want to hear YOUR ideas.

Lady Liberty is the much-loved guardian of New York; Sydney would be practically unrecognisable without its Opera House. Even the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth has achieved a degree of iconic status.

Wouldn't a similar, instantly recognisable, structure do wonders for our own harbour?

If the Solar Pyramid went ahead, measuring in at 45 metres across and 65 metres high, it would make the 20m Angel of the North seem tiny in comparison.

The three polished steel wings would be potentially sited at Harbourside Park (Baiter), and could attract 400,000 visitors a year.

But on paper the proposal has already caused a storm of protest. Groups representing more than 10,000 Poole residents have expressed strong opposition to the controversial "art meets science" project, amid concerns that it would promote traffic chaos, cause light pollution with its mirrored surfaces and swallow up open space in a densely populated area.

However, those in favour of the Solar Pyramid - the world's largest timepiece - believe it would be a thing of considerable beauty, a place for quiet reflection, as well as educational and good for the local economy.

The pyramid shape has been used for centuries in stone structures throughout the world, built using a profound lore of numbers, measures and astronomical data.

Shrouded in mystery even today, pyramids pose as many questions as they answer. It isn't clear why Egyptian tombs of the early pharaohs were built with sloping sides, for example. One suggestion is they represent the rays of the sun, while another is that the dead pharaoh could symbolically climb to the sky and live forever.

While the shape may be acceptable, Baiter itself may not be the ideal place for such a monument. Not only could the structure destroy many residents' harbour views, but the land is on the site of 14th and 15th century plague pits.

Locals also point out that this open space in Baiter was dedicated as replacement land for the Ladies Walking Field, given to the town by Lady Wimborne which has now been developed into the town-centre shopping area.

A better suggestion, therefore, may be a statue along the lines of the Colossus of Rhodes straddling the mouth of the world's second largest natural harbour (but perhaps dressed more coyly than the original wonder of the ancient word).

A giant dogwalker, or a landmark constructed of huge sails may be appropriate suggestions for the locality.

A leaping dolphin or gargantuan mermaid would naturally be in keeping with Poole's maritime history.

How about a huge bronze pirate, with observation tower and souvenir shop in his tricorn hat?

In terms of amusement value, a giant water flume or helter skelter would no doubt draw in the crowds.

Of course, you might prefer nothing there at all But that surely would be missing out on a grand opportunity to put Poole on the map with an iconic and world-famous landmark.