AN IRON giant could welcome thousands of motorists to Chester after “a perfect” site was found close to the intersection of the M56 and M53 motorways.

An earlier site for the 130ft tall iron man on Chester Zoo land was rejected as being unsuitable but a farmer at Wervin has agreed his land can be used.

Created by eccentric inventor and farmer Ed Walley of Waverton, the iron man would help promote Chester as the “Giant City” based on its popular Midsummer Watch Parade featuring giants.

Backed by Chester City Centre Management, planning consultants J10 is compiling a supportive case to accompany a planning application.

Ed Walley said: “It’s at the junction of two motorways at a bit of a back-water. There’s nobody there. There’s one house 200 or 300 hundred yards away. In many respects it’s a perfect spot.”

He said issues to be considered as part of the planning process included the iron man’s structural integrity and any potential ecological consequences.

City centre coordinator Stephen Wundke said: “I have got shopkeepers who say anything that brings more people into Chester is good for us.”

He added: “We have looked at loads of sites and this is the most probable. If we could get this off the ground it would be quite a statement and quite a legacy, but let’s just see.”

Mr Wundke said the communities of Wervin and Elton would have to be consulted given the attraction may generate more traffic due to curious motorists wishing to see it.

The intention was for the 39 ton giant to be sited at Ed Walley’s Crocky Trail attraction in Waverton, but it was refused planning permission.