A historic town centre monument could receive a £55,000 facelift under plans that will go before Moray Council tomorrow.
The fate of the Muckle Cross in Elgin will be considered by the local authority’s policy and resources committee.
A report submitted to members recommends they pledge £20,000 towards a “complete renovation” of the B-listed structure.
However, another option open to councillors would be to simply order surface repairs.
The report for councillors says the Muckle Cross is “showing significant signs of deterioration”.
It adds: “This refurbishment project would greatly enhance a part of Elgin’s heritage and be a tourist attraction within the central shopping area.”
The report says one option for repair, costing £20,000, would provide cosmetic enhancement, but would not replace damaged stonework.
An alternative proposal for a “complete renovation”, costing £55,000, would save the council the cost of future maintenance.
If a complete renovation is approved, Elgin’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Cars) will cover half of the cost, and £15,000 would come from the town’s common good fund.
Moray Council would be asked to provide the remaining £20,000 from capital funding.
Residents who gathered around the monument for yesterday’s Elgin Rotary Club Marafun event said they hoped the Muckle Cross could be preserved.
Pensioner Margaret Macfarquhar, from Elgin, said: “I hope the council decides to award this funding, it spends a lot of money on projects like the Western Link Road which I feel bring little benefit to the town.”
Elgin nurse, Shirley Taylor, 49, said: “The Muckle Cross is a significant part of the town-centre and it would be nice to see it looking a bit better.”
The plea to safeguard the future of the run-down landmark comes amid revelations that two of the town centre’s most historic attractions could be under threat.
Last week Elgin Museum appealed to Moray Council to grant the venue £44,500 over the next three years to ensure it can remain open.
And a development group set up to look into alternative uses for the St Giles Church building in Elgin town-centre also asked the council to help fund a £14,000 feasibility study to examine options for its future.