A bull statue design has been put forward by the Kelpies creator to stand guard over Aberdeen bypass.

According to the Evening Express, Andy Scott sketched the indicative drawings after being contacted by former North-east council boss Mike Barrow, who would like to see a major piece of public art alongside the £750 million scheme.

It comes after a £1m sculpture, called the Herring Drifter, was announced as being considered for the road and Councillor Ian Yuill urged Aberdeen City Council to investigate putting more pieces along the route.

Although the local authority rejected the move, as it couldn’t find private cash to pay for it, the famous sculptor has revealed he would be “delighted” to work on such a project, if funding became available.

He said: “If the project does move forward towards reality or a professional design appointment stage, I’d be delighted to participate.

“I can certainly testify to the many benefits large-scale artwork projects can bring to areas.”

The bull would stand at 50ft tall, 82ft long and be lit up at night.

Mr Barrow, former chief executive of Gordon District Council, believes the reputation of Mr Scott could help bring in sponsors and is pushing for the project to be reconsidered.

He contacted the sculptor and asked him to come up with an indicative design for how such a piece could look.

He said: “The ideas are at a very early stage … but I’ve found that sometimes in local government it is best to put forward ideas and see how the powers that be react to them.

“Just think what the Kelpies have done to Falkirk and the surrounding area. It is a tourist feature attracting a large number of visitors and being seen from the highway is now one of the finest examples of a visual image. Anyone travelling along the new bypass would be able to see it as the great reflection of the North-east’s magnificent heritage.

“It isn’t easy in the North-east economically at the moment, but there would have to be the possibility of sponsorship from a major company – especially if designed by Andy Scott.”

Finance boss Willie Young said the local authority was “all ears” for potential projects, but funding would need to be a “collaborative effort”.