What's happened to The Wrekin Beacon?

Engineers were today investigating why one of Shropshire's most familiar night-time sights has mysteriously vanished.

The red light on top of the Wrekin TV transmitter has been out of action for at least a week, possibly much more. Staff at Winchester-based company Arqiva, which owns and operates the transmitter, are checking the lights system this week.

Pensioner Arthur Taylor said the light had been out for about three weeks and he was mystified as to why.

Mr Taylor, 69, of Ladycroft, Wellington, said: "The light is a familiar sight to me. I usually see it every night from my lounge window but it has been out for at least three weeks.

"It has become almost like a comforting friend to me and when it first disappeared I thought it was something to do with the switch over to digital television."

Bruce Randall, Arqiva spokesman, said the fault was first reported to the company at the weekend.

He added: "We've arranged for the lights system to be checked out. Any work at the top of the tower will require forward planning to minimise disruption to transmissions."