LONG-AWAITED repairs on a much-loved memorial near Welshpool are set to go ahead later this month.

The iconic Rodney's Pillar on Breidden Hill has needed "urgent" repair work costing an estimated £200,000 after cracks appeared on the 54-foot monument in 2019.

Natural Resources Wales, leasees of the land on which the historic monument stands, had anticipated the four-month repair would take place last year.

However, the Save Rodney's Pillar charity announced this week that work is expected to start on Monday, June 12.

"Well things are starting to move along now," the charity said on Wednesday (May 31).

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"NRW have confirmed that Grosvenor Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract to carry out the repairs to the Pillar and have a start date of June 12.

“There will be a lot of infrastructure work to carry out first, to get their equipment and storage facilities, etc in place at the designated position, also the scaffolding to be erected around the Pillar itself, prior to work actually starting on the pillar itself, but I am sure you will all agree it is great news and we look forward to when it is all complete."

The Grade Two-listed monument was erected at the top of Breidden Hill in 1782 to pay tribute to Admiral George Brydges Rodney, who led campaigns in the American War of Independence and in the Caribbean against the French.