Pregnant in a big way

A 65ft-high statue of a naked pregnant woman by Damien Hirst is one step closer to being put up in a seaside town. Councillors from North Devon District Council have agreed that the bronze statue, called Verity, could be positioned on Ilfracombe pier.

Local opinion on the statue, which has been offered on a 20-year loan by the artist, has been deeply divided and the decision to award planning permission follows two months of public discussion.