A couple who put up a 21ft-high totem pole in their Headington garden look set to keep it.

Bob and Anne Peterson installed the carving, made up of 44 individual figures and an exact replica of a Canadian west coast Indian totem pole, at their home in New High Street in January. It was made for them by Mrs Peterson's father, Ted Kubbinga.

A month later, they were asked to apply for planning permission after complaints to the city council.

The application comes up at a planning committee meeting tomorrowfri and councillors are being asked to recommend that the couple are allowed to keep it, subject to the pole being kept clean and tidy.

A report by planning officer Karen Tate to the meeting said: "Officers consider that although an unusual feature in this locality, albeit in the next street to the Headington Shark, the totem pole is partly obscured by boundary walls and planting, is clearly visible only from a short section of Bateman Street and is supported by adjoining residents.

"Officers are of the opinion that so long as the totem pole is maintained in a reasonable condition it is of no demonstrable harm to the locality, but introduces an unusual and interesting feature to the area, while identifying the origins of the occupiers."