But Kenilworth man Joe Rukin believes the sinister-looking sculpture welcoming people to Warwick Hospital resembles a ghost.

Mr Rukin was walking into outpatients when his two-year-old son Alex spotted the ethereal figure floating above the reception desk, and asked his father what it was.

The 34-year-old, who works in higher education, then had to explain to his son what the phantasmal form might be.

Mr Rukin, of Beauchamp Road, said: “He is just at the age where he points at things when he doesn’t know what they are and says ‘What’s that, Daddy?’ “I thought it looked like a ghost, and then wondered what it was doing there - a ghost hanging above reception in outpatients.

“Yes, a ghost welcoming you to hospital. Well thought through guys.”

Mr Rukin posted a picture of the art on social networking site Facebook in the section ‘signs that fascinate and intrigue’ and has received several other theories about the mysterious sculpture.

One contributor thought it looked like a mermaid, but another thought it resembled someone swathed in bandages after a horrific accident.

An American posting on the site wrote: “It’s the Angel of Death from Raiders of the Lost Ark (and previously the Bible).”

The debate looks like continuing, but Mr Rukin would like to know how much the sculpture cost, and why it was decided to put it at the entrance to a hospital.

He added: “I can see the light side of it. You have to when you see something that daft.”

A Warwick Hospital spokesman said: "The sculpture was generously donated to the outpatients department by a local artist following an exhibition last year. Patients and visitors have not raised any concerns with us about the work.”