Landmark to open for first time in 40 years

A landmark in the West Midlands is to open to the public for the first time in about 40 years, as part of a festival celebrating England's heritage.

The Grade II-listed Sedgley Beacon tower will welcome visitors from 10:00 to 13:30 BST on Friday and from 10:00 to 14:00 on Sunday as part of this year's Heritage Open Days.

The tower, on Beacon Hill north of Sedgley town centre, has been inaccessible because of the poor condition of its steps.

Although visitors will not be allowed to climb the tower staircase, they will be able to stand inside and see recent restoration work, which has included the replacement of most of the steps.

The work, completed by Dudley Council last month, also included repointing the sandstone tower, repairing its stonework and installing new fencing and gates.

Seventeen of the steps were replaced, but a further seven steps were found to be missing at the top of the tower. The council is seeking funding to complete the work.

Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said the restoration had "significantly improved the appearance and condition of the tower".

He said the council was committed to completing the staircase and improving access to the landmark.

Councillor David Stanley, chair of the Friends of Sedgley Beacon, said the restoration had brought the tower "a step closer" to increasing public access.

The beacon was built in 1846 by Lord Wrottesley using local Gornal sandstone. It sits within the Black Country Unesco Global Geopark, and is part of the Limestone Way footpath, which links it with Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve, Dudley Priory and Dudley Zoo and Castle.

The Sedgley Beacon opening is part of Heritage Open Days, running from 11 to 20 September, with more than 2,400 free events across England.

Several events are taking place in Wolverhampton, including behind-the-scenes tours at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Carnegie Library and the city archives, as well as a self-guided audio tour of the city and a genealogy workshop.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.