AN HISTORIC lantern which has been illuminating the Worcester bridge for almost 100 years was ripped off by recent high winds and was last seen on the Pitchcroft side of the bridge.
The incident was reported by a member of the public and Worcestershire County Council’s lighting contractor attended site on Friday to collect the lantern, but unfortunately it was nowhere to be seen.
Coun Alan Amos, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is so sad that we have lost one of the lanterns from Worcester Bridge during the storms. It is a genuine streetlight and dates back to the 1930s, which makes it a significant heritage item.
All the lanterns are due to be refurbished this year and it would be wonderful to see the lost lantern restored along with the others to its original brass. The lantern is unique to the city and hugely contributes to the style and age of the area, so we would be very grateful to see its safe return.”
The County Council do have some valuable CCTV footage that shows the lantern falling off its column at 2.25pm on Friday (February 18) and being picked up and removed by an individual shortly afterwards at 3.39pm.
The council would be grateful if anybody who knows the whereabouts of the lantern can call the Highways Control Centre on 01905 845676, so that collection can be arranged.
If the lantern from this appeal cannot be located the information will be forwarded on to the police for further investigation, to hopefully get this historic lantern back where it belongs.
