Wrekin Beacon left in darkness after storm

The beacon, on top of The Wrekin's TV transmitter, has apparently been off for more than a week following storm damage.

It is the second time in six months the iconic beacon has run into trouble.

And, again, the weather is being blamed for the problem.

Storms and high winds were blamed at the start of the year when the light stopped working.

And this time around the problem is being linked to summer thunder storms, with the possibility the beacon was struck by lightning.

One Dothill resident said that the light had not been working properly since June 27.

He said: "In the afternoon there was a bad storm in Telford with lightning.

"The next night I was in my front room looking at The Wrekin and I noted that the red light was not working.

"It is still off, over a week later, no light at all. I hope it is fixed soon."

And Catherine Pickett, who lives in Penn in Wolverhampton, said she had noticed the light had gone out.

The 40-year-old, of Coton Road, said: "We can normally see the light as clear as anything, as we live on a hill. We can also see the lights of Telford and the Welsh hills on a really good day.

"It has become part of the landscape and we really miss it."

The light – actually a cluster bulbs – is maintained by Arqiva.

The company said it was aware of the fault and hoped to have it repaired within the coming weeks.

Kathryn Finch, said: "Engineers have been booked to repair it and we'll investigate the reason for the fault.

"We can't say yet when the light will be fixed as any work at the top of the tower needs to be planned to minimise disruption to transmissions, but we hope it will be shining again soon."

The Wrekin Beacon last went out in January, following the harsh week of storms.

The beacon had gone out after being damaged by gale force winds.

It was out of action for a week while engineers from Arqiva rallied to repair the light.

The light went out at the start of the month, but was back shining by January 24.

The red beacon was erected as part of a project to celebrate the Millennium and has been a constant landmark ever since.

A light shone out on top of the hill for years to warn aircraft, but was switched off in the 1960s when better radar meant it was no longer needed - but was later replaced with the comforting red light residents can see today.