Ironbridge stars on Google World Wonders site

The iconic Ironbridge Gorge has been recognised as one of the wonders of the world by internet giant Google.

Telford's World Heritage Site has been selected alongside some of the world's most famous places to feature on Google's new cultural digitisation site, the World Wonders Project. Led by Google's Street View technology, the World Wonders Project allows users to virtually explore sites from 18 countries.

On it, Ironbridge rubs shoulders with spectacular places such as Stonehenge, Pompeii and the ancient Kyoto temples.

Paul Gossage, spokesman for the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, said: "It's wonderful that the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site has been recognised by Google as a world wonder, alongside other icons such as the Palace of Versailles and the ancient Kyoto temples.

"We hope that it will help people across the world understand more of the remarkable heritage in this small part of Shropshire that helped start the Industrial Revolution and changed the world forever."

Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Telford and Wrekin to be featured alongside some of the most iconic wonders of the world.

"It is a real honour to feature on the Google World Wonders Project."

The World Monuments Fund, Getty Images and Ourplace have joined Google to develop the project, which aims to preserve world heritage sites with a range of technologies and information. As well as Google 3D models and YouTube videos, the World Wonders Project website features official information and photos supplied by the project partners.

Google is also publishing high resolution images of the Dead Sea Scrolls, digitising the archives of famous figures and presenting thousands of artworks. For more about World Wonders, visit Google's You-Tube channel or go to www.google.com/worldwonders