THE petition calling for the restoration of Wellington Monument is set to be presented to the House of Commons on Friday after almost 2,000 people signed it.

MP for the town Rebecca Pow launched the

petition in May and will present it as part of a campaign to raise the profile of the much-loved Monument with the ultimate aim of raising the funds to restore it.

The petition closed on Friday and after being presented it will be printed in Hansard – the official report of the proceedings of Parliament. The text of the public petition will also be sent to the relevant Government department with subsequent observations also printed in Hansard.

Ms Pow said: “Demonstrating the greatest possible support for restoring the Wellington Monument is key to making the strongest case to government and potential funders for this restoration project.

“I am delighted by the huge response to the petition, with hundreds of people adding their names to back this potential scheme.”

The National Trust has spent the past 12 months doing detailed survey work to assess the structure and to come up with a range of repair options. Helen Sharp, project manager for the National Trust at Wellington Monument, said: “We understand just how important the Monument is to local people and are thrilled that so many have shown their support by signing the petition.

“Our work to consider the future repairs is continuing and we plan to be in a position to share the next steps soon. We’re listening closely to what people are telling us about how important the Monument is to them.”

Ms Pow has received support from Charles Wellesley, the 9th Duke of Wellington, who met her in Westminster to discuss her campaign. He explained more about his family’s history and their relationship with the local area and the Monument itself.

He said the structure was one of only three memorials constructed to celebrate the Duke of Wellington’s importance as one of the country’s greatest war heroes and that the Monument is the tallest three-sided structure in the world.

Ms Pow added: “There are a plethora of reasons why we should restore this much-loved local feature for future generations.

“It’s a wonderful beacon in the area in a beautiful location and is enjoyed by thousands; it is a fitting accolade to the Duke of Wellington, one of our three greatest war heroes and commemorates his success at the Battle of Waterloo; it is of international architectural significance; and is an iconic landmark signalling the gateway to the wider South-West and so is recognised by millions of travellers using the M5, especially during this busy summer period. On all these grounds I am sure you will agree the Monument needs restoring.”

Wellington Monument is in a state of disrepair, is closed to the public and is only very infrequently illuminated.