Leaky statue runs up £40,000 bill

The leaks are said to have cost £40,000 so far

One of Birmingham city centre's most famous water features has sprung several leaks the BBC has revealed.

The giant statue of a woman bathing in Victoria Square, known as "the Floozy in the Jacuzzi", is losing 15,000 litres (24,000 pints) of water a day.

Engineers have been battling to repair the leaks in the 13-year-old statue but so far have only found 75% of them.

The council said it is trying everything to plug the leaks which are said to have cost about £40,000 so far.

John Alden, from the leading Conservative group, said: "Originally we were losing 60 cubic metres a day, which in an annual rate would be about £30,000 a year.

"The engineers have solved three-quarters of the leaks and we are down to 15 cubic metres of water loss a day which is probably costing us £8,000."

Labour councillor Ian Ward said the water loss, which has been going on for two years, was unacceptable and called on the council to repair the leaks as quickly as possible.