Where should we put Richard III statue? asks Leicester's mayor

Sir Peter Soulsby is looking to relocate a symbolic statue of Richard III to a more prominent place – and he wants your help.

The sculpture in Castle Gardens, near West Bridge, was donated to Leicester by the Richard III Society in 1980.

It stands in the quiet public park near the city centre, overlooking the spot where Richard rode out to Bosworth to meet his end in August 1485.

Now, the city mayor has said he wants to relocate the monument to a more prominent place in the city and he wants Mercury readers to offer their suggestions as to where that should be.

It follows the discovery of the Plantagenet monarch's remains in a city council car park in Leicester.

"Personally, I think somewhere near the cathedral would be ideal," said Sir Peter.

"It's close to the site where King Richard was discovered and it would be near the new visitors' centre and, more importantly, wouldn't cost a lot.

"But I want the people of Leicester to tell us where they think it should go.

"Castle Gardens isn't a bad spot – in fact, it overlooks West Bridge, where Richard was said to have crossed on his way to battle – but it's such a lovely monument that I think more people should be able to see it."

Another possible location for the bronze statue could include the proposed Jubilee Square development in St Nicholas Place, off St Nicholas Circle.

The plan to relocate the statue has been backed by the Richard III Society.

After the society donated the monument to Leicester in July 1980, it was fittingly unveiled by Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester – Richard had been named Duke of Gloucester in 1461.

Society spokeswoman Philippa Langley, who launched the search for Richard III's remains, said she was fully behind the proposals.

"It's my favourite statue, anywhere and I've been to Florence," she said.

"I think it's a great idea to get it moved. It'll give it a much more prominent position nearer the cathedral. The more people who see it, the better."

The monument's plinth includes a plaque which marks the place and year of Richard III's death – Bosworth, in 1485.

It also carries the inscription that the monarch was "piteously slain fighting manfully in the thickest press of his enemies" – a famous account of his death by the historian Polydore Vergil.

However, not everyone is as keen to see the sculpture moved.

Stuart Bailey, chairman of Leicester Civic Society, believes it should stay where it is.

"My personal opinion is that it's in a great place already," he said.

"It looks out over West Bridge, where Richard rode off to battle, and is close to Bow Bridge, which is also closely associated with him.

"We must not be tempted to put all our eggs in one basket and clump everything around the new visitor centre."

The statue was created by London-born artist James Butler, who also sculpted the Leicester Seamstress which stands outside the City Rooms and Thomas Cook, by Leicester railway station.

To give your ideas to Sir Peter for where the statue should be placed, e-mail:

themayor@leicester.gov.uk

Also, tell us what you think in the comments section below or tweet us @thisisleics