AN APPLICATION has been made to clean and repair a statue of Robert Burns in Dumfries town centre.
It would see the removal of lichens, algae and moss which have formed on the statue.
It has been recommended that a chemical treatment is applied annually in an effort to deter their return.
A report to the council’s planning committee, external said parts of it were covered with “large infestations” of organic growth.
There is also evidence of graffiti, “staining from an unknown liquid” and some lettering has been damaged.
Permission is being sought to clean it and then apply a biocide to help prevent future growth.
This would be repeated on an annual basis in an effort to reduce any risk of further deterioration in its condition.
Historic Environment Scotland has been consulted and has not objected to the plan.
The statue was created by eminent Scots sculptor Amelia Paton Hill and carved by Italian craftsmen in Carrara.
