Concerns have been raised over plans to light up the 26-foot Yoxman statue by the A12 in east Suffolk, with community leaders believing it would be a "potentially hazardous distraction".

Wilderness Reserve Suffolk Limited has applied to East Suffolk Council seeking permission to illuminate the huge bronze monument at Yoxford.

But Yoxford Parish Council believes the plans could pose safety issues and is objecting to the work going ahead.

The Yoxman statue, which was installed in November 2021 by Suffolk artist Laurence Edwards, is located almost 100m from the A12 and has become something of a tourist attraction.

Russell Pearce, chairman of Yoxford Parish Council, had previously dismissed suggestions that its presence would distract motorists driving on the road.

Wilderness Reserve Suffolk's plans include installing several ground-mounted floodlights which would be controlled by a solar tracking timeclock, which switch on at dusk.

Planning documents submitted to East Suffolk Council said: "The amount of light reaching the road would be very low given that the lights are directed away from the road towards the statue.

"This lighting is considered to be sensitive to its setting and well designed to be an addition to the existing statue, which has been well-received locally."

However, Yoxford Parish Council has outlined its opposition to the scheme – believing it would represent a distraction to drivers on the busy road.

"Given the close proximity of the statue to the A12, and being on a bend in the road with a 40mph speed limit, any lighting may present a potentially hazardous distraction to passing traffic.

"Lighting of the statue may cause a nuisance to local residents living opposite or close to it.

"Although the village of Yoxford does not hold official Dark Sky status, (the) parish council believes strongly in the value of preserving natural darkness and wishes to encourage the reduction of all light pollution of the local environment."