Angel of the North at 20: Celebrations being held to mark the iconic statue turning 20

Celebrations are being held to mark the Angel of the North turning 20.

Sir Antony Gormley's 200-tonne steel figure took two days to erect beside the A1 in Gateshead.

Since then it has weathered sun, rain and snow to become one of Britain's best-loved and most recognised pieces of public art.

Before it was erected over February 14 and 15 in 1998, feelings about the Angel were mixed, with some anger at the £800,000 price tag and even complaints that it resembled a 1930s Nazi sculpture.

There were concerns about how the engineering would keep it upright during storms, that it might be struck by lightning and that its position by the A1 - passed by 90,000 drivers daily - could distract motorists and cause accidents.

The late art critic Brian Sewell even branded it a "totem" and "bad engineering".

But the criticism has largely been forgotten as it has been embraced as a symbol of the North.

Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: "When wecommissioned the Angel of the North, no local council had ever commissioned such a major work of art before.

"The Angel of the North divided opinion at the time and continues to do so,though I think most people have grown to love it. And that's what these celebrations are all about.

"The Angel of the North has become part of the fabric of our region and become part of people's lives."

Press Association photographer Owen Humphreys has been taking pictures of the work even before it was erected.

He said: "I have covered it for more than 20 years.

"It has weathered so many storms but I don't think it has changed colourmuch.

"I saw it when it was laid on the floor of the works and it's not until it wasstood up that you get the sheer scale of it.

"I love it - as soon as you see it on the A1, you know you're in the North."

A celebration with cake will be held on Thursday February 15 at the Angel.