A huge bronze dragon 210 feet high will greet visitors to Wales under a £6million plan unveiled yesterday.

The project is the brainchild of Wrexham businessman Simon Wingett, who hopes to fund the estimated £6m building costs through charitable donations, the sale of steps within the tower and investor finance.

Wrexham council leader Aled Roberts said the project, which would virtually dwarf the iconic Angel of the North, would “strengthen and develop” tourism in the area.

Waking the Dragon, as the project is called, would feature a tower within a landscaped area of trees and paths, depicting the four branches of the Mabinogion (the collection of mythological tales of early Wales).

Mr. Roberts said about the project, “There is no doubt that this project will strengthen and further develop the tourism and heritage offer available to visitors in this part of North East Wales”.

“The dragon project will not only celebrate our unique heritage and culture, it will also boost the local economy with the creation of local jobs”.

“The dragon's location will provide unrivalled views across Wrexham and the surrounding borderlands”, he said.