A BID to raise £75,000 to secure the future of the Willow Man sculpture near Bridgwater is reaching an end.
The appeal was launched by county artist Serena de la Hey, who created the iconic landmark in 2000, as its future was brought into doubt.
The sculpture was never intended to be a permanent fixture, but has been firmly adopted by the public, so funds are needed to rebuild it and to carry out future maintenance to ensure it stays.
READ MORE: Click here to visit the crowdfunding appeal
"He is made from willow and like all natural materials this will age and deteriorate over time," the appeal says.
"However no one had anticipated just how much the Willow Man would be adopted by the local community. Even Serena was surprised at the impact he made.
The iconic sculpture, near Bridgwater. PICTURE: Anthony Ross-Fallon
"It is financially impractical to keep making small repairs to the Willow Man and sadly, if he continues to deteriorate, he will be dismantled.
"It is because of the support and the sense of public ownership that people have expressed, that artist Serena de la Hey is trying to prevent this from happening.
"She and thousands of others would like to see him rebuilt."
READ MORE: Willow Man could be dismantled due to rising costs
The Willow Man is made of woven withies over a three tonne steel frame.
It is protected by a 40-metre moat which was installed after vandals torched it in 2001.
In 2016, the sculpture was ranked among Britain's favourite roadside landmarks last year in a poll conducted by National Express.
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