Councillor Bill Martin, who represents the Brislington East ward, made the remark at the annual conference of the Association of Transport Coordinating Officers.

Mr Martin explained that he had wanted the centre to be opened up to show the River Frome running through it.

"Now we have this thing of concrete, this plaza, this piazza, with this water feature which, in my opinion, looks like 20 elderly men peeing into a pond," he said.

Many of the office workers and shoppers in Broadquay on Friday lunchtime, agreed with the Lord Mayor's comment.

"They don't offer anything. I mean what do they signify?" questioned one man.

"I think it's a waste of public money personally and there's no colour or even decoration," a local woman complained.

"As tourists in Bristol, the fountains give a complete idea of hospitality and welcoming to the area," said a Scottish visitor.

"They're not the most exciting fountains I've ever seen and I have travelled a bit," said an American tourist.

"The fountains are nice but they do look like men peeing, but then there's nothing wrong with that - it's funny," giggled a woman.

The Lord Mayor's remarks have embarrassed colleagues on the council's ruling Labour group, which has long defended its controversial decision to pave over the centre.

"Some people love it and some people don't and so the Labour group is committed to making it an area that works for all ages," said City Council Deputy Helen Holland.

"Mayors are entitled to their views," she added.