Netherton's new sign brings a taste of Hollywood

A teenager is helping to put a Black Country town on the map after designing a new sign to greet visitors in the style of the famous Hollywood landmark.

Giant letters spell out the word Netherton and the 42ft long sign includes a narrowboat and a small anchor paying homage to the town's industrial past.

The metal sign, which was inspired by the one in the Hollywood Hills, was drawn up by 16-year-old Adam Cash.

Adam's name has been printed on the boat while he along with his mother, Julie, aged 40, father James, 34, and eight-year-old brother Mackenzie are seen sitting by the windows of the vessel.

His grandfather David Somers can be seen steering the boat while his grandmothers Elizabeth Round and Ann Cash are also passengers.

The letters of the sign, which has been erected in Halesowen Road, are made to look like bricks as a tribute to the another of the Netherton's well-known industries. The anchor attached to the letter 'O' commemorates the making of the anchor at Noah Hingley's in 1911 for the Titanic.

Dudley borough artist Steve Field used Adam's concept to create the final design which has been assembled by blacksmith Robert Foxall-Colley of Brierley Hill-based Moor Forge. Workers at Midtherm Laser in Peartree Lane, Netherton, then cut out the silhouettes.

It has been a long wait for Adam, a pupil at Hillcrest School, Netherton, to see his idea come to fruition since winning the competition run by Dudley Council for school childrento design a sign in 2007 - but he said it as worth the wait.

His mother Julie, of Elbow Street, Cradley Heath, said: "Adam is very artistic, which is why he entered the competition. I am very proud of him and I am glad the sign has been finished. I love seeing it every day."

Adam said he was proud his design had been brought to life and was pleased his family had been included.