Shrewsbury's Lord Hill reopens to public

Lord Hill's Column in Shrewsbury will be open to visitors for more days this year, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury, was the first visitor to climb the 172 steps of the spiral staircase on Saturday following the reopening. The column, which stands outside Shirehall, will be open on selected dates until October 3, giving views across the town and beyond.

It comes after months of the landmark being shrouded in scaffolding and plastic sheeting to prevent debris falling from the monument onto passers-by.

Richard Hayes, chairman of the Friends of Lord Hill's Column, said: "Last year tickets sold out and we had to disappoint a lot of people so I urge everyone to book their place quickly. We are delighted to be able to open the column to the public.

"This year is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and across the country events will be staged to celebrate the final defeat of Napoleon. Shropshire can boast a particularly important monument to a hero of the Napoleonic wars."

Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill, served in the Napoleonic Wars as a trusted brigade, division and corps commander under the command of the Duke of Wellington. He became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1828.

Tickets to visit the column are £5 per person. Visit www.friendsoflordhillscolumn.co.uk or call 07720 677530.