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Work began on the project in 1994 and cost £1 million. Most of the project funding was provided by the National Lottery.

Due to its exposed location, the sculpture was built to withstand winds of over 100 mph (160 km/h). Thus, 600 tonnes of concrete were used to create foundations which anchor the sculpture to rock 70ft (20m) below.

The sculpture was built at Hartlepool Steel Fabrications Ltd. using Corten weather resistant steel. It was made in three parts-with the body weighing 100 tonnes and two wings weighing 50 tonnes each-then brought to its site by road. It took seven hours for the body to be transported from its construction site in Hartlepool, up the A19 road to the site.

Construction work on the Angel was finished on 16 February 1998. It aroused some controversy in British newspapers, at first, while local councillor, Martin Callanan, was especially strong in his opposition. It is now considered by some as a landmark for the Northeast of England[4][5] and has been listed by one organisation as an "Icon of England".[6]

The sculpture was decorated in 1998 by fans of the Newcastle United football team who paid tribute to local hero Alan Shearer by putting a £1,000 team shirt over the Angel, complete with Shearer's name and famous number 9. The shirt stayed up for 20 minutes until the police removed it.

The sculpture is known locally as the "Gateshead Flasher", because of its location and appearance.[7]

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