Iconic sculpture rocks up at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

The 9ft piece, which is worth up to £4 million, has been locked away for more than a year after it was removed from its plinth at the Mander Centre back in June 2014 ahead of the centre's multi-million pound revamp.

It will now stay on display at the Lichfield Street gallery for the next two years at least.

Following the £25m refurbishment, it will return to the Mander Centre for a loan period.

Wolverhampton council's deputy leader Peter Bilson said: "It's excellent to have it back. Of course it was of great concern in the city when it was initially removed as it is such a recognisable and familiar image with Wolverhampton.

"But now I feel it is in a fitting place to have it displayed at the art gallery. It will hopefully encourage and bring people who wouldn't necessarily come here to walk in and have a look and see a different side to Wolverhampton."

Rock Form is one of only six of its kind and was donated by the Mander family in 1968. It was the focal point of the Mander Centre's ground floor for more than 45 years but was removed in June 2014, with former centre owner, RBS saying at the time it had been 'stored away' to protect it during the redevelopment.

However, its removal caused outrage, with more than 3,000 people signing a petition demanding its return and the matter making it all the way to the Commons.

Marguerite Nugent, senior curator at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, said: "I'm very pleased, as I'm sure many people are, to see the Rock Form back on display in Wolverhampton.

"As Peter said, I hope we will see a lot more visitors over the coming weeks. It is an iconic piece and we are proud to have it on display here at the gallery."