An a-mazing new feature could bring family fun to Porthleven while providing local craftspeople with a source of renewable willow, according to one town councillor.

Councillor Alan Jorgensen told a meeting last week that the Porthleven Environment Project had identified money which could be used to plant a 12-metre square withy maze on land at the end of Methleigh Meadows.

He told fellow councillors that he had spoken to the "lawn mover man" who said the best place for the maze would be the Tolponds end of the meadows, adding: "It's the wetter end, which the willows like." He said he had also spoken to Geraldine Jones of Salt Cellar Crafts, who has previously grown with and worked with willow, and had put a lot of work into the project.

He said the next step in the project would be to "go public and consult with the community," adding that the projected cost of the work would be £810.

Asked about the lifetime and the maintenance costs involved, he said: "The maze will last as long and as well as it's maintained. A minimum of once a year harvesting the willow will need to be carried out, by volunteers with secateurs, a hedge trimmer or a chainsaw."

Another councillor pointed out that the withy sticks collected from the maze would have a value, which could help cover maintenance costs, although the mayor, Andrew Wallis, voiced his concern that "when the money runs out in the environmental group someone will have to pick up the tab."

Councillor Mark Adair said: "The environmental group are looking for ways to support themselves financially. The withy is a way to do that. There's quite a lot of interest for the willow coming in from artists."

And councillor Liz Lane added that the willow pruning could be turned into an annual community event "with children making baskets, with the band... that way it will encourage people to come and support it."

Mr Wallis said the maze was "a great idea" and should be supported, but the council needed more information, which Mr Jorgensen said he would supply.