Biddulph Town Council is to "consider consultation options" on a decision to relocate the miners' memorial wheel to a different area of the town.

The discussion was due to take place at a recent meeting, but has been deferred for now in order for the council to receive a petition against moving the wheel at the next full council meeting.

The wheel was mentioned on the agenda of a meeting of last week's Finance Strategy and Management Committee, with the agenda item stating: "Item requested by Councillor Jones: to consider consultation options in relation to the re-location of the mining wheel."

However, Cllr Jones told Nub News that the item was deferred for now, so the council can receive the petition first.

He said: "The item was deferred pending the official receipt of the petition at next full council and its subsequent review."

He did not confirm whether the agenda item means the relocation of the wheel is still going ahead as planned, or if there is any chance that the decision might be reconsidered.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how the council released a statement following a decision to move the wheel in front of the Town Hall to become part of a new miners' memorial on Station Road.

Residents set up a petition in opposition to moving the wheel, which received over 1,000 signatures.

The wheel, which was installed on the High Street following the closure of Biddulph's Victoria Colliery has been in place in front of the town hall since 1983.

Those who have signed the petition felt that moving the wheel would leave it in a less visible area of the town which could leave it prone to vandalism, and that it should remain in what they believe is a more prominent location outside the town hall.