Monument in pride of place as Duncan Edwards statue returns to heart of Dudley

It had been in storage while a major £6.7 million redevelopment of the town centre has been under way.

But now the statue of the football legend, who was born in Dudley in 1936, has been returned to the marketplace and put up in a new location near the top of New Street in place of the now demolished toilet blocks.

Councillor Judy Foster, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Duncan Edwards is one of Dudley's most famous sons and his life and legacy is something we are all extremely proud of and he will never be forgotten.

"I am pleased that his statue is back in the marketplace which is undergoing significant work as part of our £6.7 million improvement scheme.

"We will officially re-dedicate the statue later this year as a fitting tribute to his Duncan Edwards' memory," she said.

Dudley Council first commissioned the statue 16 years ago to commemorate the England and Manchester United wing-half who was killed, aged just 21, in the 1958 Munich air disaster.

He was one of eight players of the great Manchester United team, known as the Busby Babes, who died from their injuries in the crash.

Before his tragic death Edwards amounted 177 appearances for United scoring 21 goals and won two First Division championships.

He was described by Matt Busby as the most "complete footballer in Britain - possibly the world" and won 18 caps for England, scoring five goals.

Work on the new 74-pitch market started in June last year, since when traders have been relocated to temporary stalls on the other side of the fountain with additional stalls set up in Stone Street Square at busy times.

The work has thrown up a number of archaeological treasures including shoe polish dating back to the 18th century. Archaeologists have also uncovered shells of oysters, a popular food with residents 400 years ago.

The new market is expected to open on March 1.