SHE has looked down on generations of Huddersfield teenagers as they go about their studies.

But the Welcome statue at Greenhead College is being taken down after workmen found a huge crack which could have endangered passers-by.

The structure – known affectionately as Gladys – has reached out from the wall of the college for decades.

Gladys, which was designed by Hungarian sculptor Peter Peri, was installed at the newly-built science block of what was then Greenhead High School for Girls in 1961.

The statue – which is attached to what is now the college common room block – was due to be moved to another wall of the building as part of a redevelopment plan.

However, workmen discovered last week that Gladys was showing her age.

College principal Martin Rostron told the Examiner yesterday: “Once the contractors had a look at removing the statue they found that it’s very severely cracked.

“There’s a very large lateral crack at the back of the statue.

“It’s a good job they went up to have a look because it’s in quite a dangerous position – if it had fallen down it could have caused quite a bit of injury to anyone walking underneath it.”

Builders began removal work yesterday.

Mr Rostron said: “They are going to have a go and see if they can get it down in one piece.”

The principal added that Gladys would not be placed back on the wall of the building.

“We’re looking at designing a plinth just across the path from where it is now,” he said.

Chris Marsden of Huddersfield Civic Society said he was sad to learn of the damage to Gladys.

“It’s an important post-war sculpture,” he said.

“Greenhead is the only college or school in Yorkshire that has a Peri.

“He was a key figure in a movement which believed in democratising by engaging children with art. His work was very powerful and accessible.”

Mr Marsden warned that putting Gladys on a plinth could create new problems.

“Removing it from the wall sounds like a reasonable thing to do,” he said.

“But there ought to be consideration of keeping her out of reach of people.

“She has an armature of steel and is made of polyester mixed with concrete so she’s done well to be there for 51 years.”