Which landmark do you want in Sutton?

Voting has begun on a campaign to find a landmark to champion and symbolise Sutton town centre.

The Sutton Guardian has launched an online poll for ideas, which have so far included a statue to a famous former Suttonite such as entertainer Sir Harry Secombe or a fountain for shoppers to muse over.

The call for a landmark began after the draft Sutton town centre area action plan, designed to reinvigorate the area over the next 10 to 15 years, outlined the potential for up to four landmarks.

The development plan lists these as next to the station, next to the civic offices, by Manor Park and next to the green.

But we still want your views on what one should look like, or even if there should be one at all.

Gordon Ironside, headteacher at Sutton Grammar School for Boys – a foundation selective school for 11 to 18-year-olds – suggested a steam clock, which is fully or partially powered by a steam engine and styled to appear as a 19th-century antique.

Only a few functioning steam clocks exist, most designed and built by Canadian horologist Raymond Saunders, and found in Otaru, Japan, Indianapolis, US and the Canadian city of Vancouver.

Steam clocks by other makers are installed in Jersey and at the Chelsea Farmers’ Market in London.

Mr Ironside said: “I think the idea is a great one if the community come up with something different and representative.

“A steam clock, like the one they have in Vancouver, would be good. It is nice to look at and is unusual and distinctive.”

But Sheila King, branch manager of Sutton and Cheam Save the Children, said she did not think there would be much public support for one.

She said: “I think the first thing people will ask is ‘how much is this going to cost?’ “It’s hard times for a lot of people and it’s not going to improve quickly, I think people are going to want to know where the money comes from.”

• Which landmark do you want Sutton to have? Do you think there should be one at all? Click here to vote