Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill to visit Dudley shopping centre named in his honour

Sir Nicholas Soames will meet with residents, traders and borough leaders at the town's Churchill Shopping Centre on Friday.

Sir Nicholas, who is himself a Conservative MP for Mid Sussex, is making the visit as part of the 50th anniversary commemorations of his grandfather's death.

Alongside meeting people gathered for the event, he will also give a speech and present the centre with a special memento.

Conservative candidate for Dudley North, Afzal Amin, said: "I'm delighted that Sir Nicholas is coming to visit us and I will be accompanying him on his visit."

Conservative leader for Dudley, Councillor Patrick Harley said: "It is wonderful a member of Sir Winston's family will be coming to Dudley in this anniversary year.

"Given that the shopping centre was named in honour of Sir Winston it is a very appropriate venue.

"It promises to be a very special event."

For many years a colourful stained-glass mosaic of the former Prime Minister formed the centrepiece of the shopping centre, originally known as the Churchill Precinct.

Although it was removed in 1991 after vandal attacks and weather damage took their toll, a scheme is now under way to restore the tribute.

Last month it was announced a £100,000 funding bid was being drawn up after the project won the backing of borough officials.

The campaign has brought together a team which has met with Heritage Lottery Fund bosses to discuss the project.

The team includes representatives from community arts project Artspace, which is based in the shopping centre, Dudley Council environment chief Hilary Bills, council officers and Dudley borough artist Steve Field.

The bid is presently being drawn up.

The original memorial consisted of 17 panels which stretched across a section of the Churchill Precinct. It was designed by world-renowned artist Edward Bainbridge Copnall and was unveiled in 1969.

At the time of its creation, the adhesive used to hold the panels together was not compatible with the materials used.

Earlier in the project, Mr Soames gave his backing to the scheme to bring the memorial to his grandfather back to the town.

Sir Winston retired from politics in 1955 and died on January 24 1965.

Her Majesty the Queen granted him the honour of a state funeral which saw one of the largest gatherings of world statesmen in history.

Sir Winston's body lay in state at Westminster Hall for three days and the funeral service was held at St Paul's Cathedral on January 30 1965.