SHELL Corner is set to live up to its name once again - after a half a tonne artillery shell is installed at the Halesowen junction.

An unexploded First World War German artillery shell took pride of place on Long Lane after WW1 before disappearing when the junction was rebuilt in the 1970s.

However, Halesowen North Councillor Stuart Henley has organised a new artillery shell to be installed on Shell Corner by Remembrance Sunday.

He said: "We want everyone to know the history of this area and the shell, which will be painted with poppies and silhouettes of soldiers."

The shell has been donated by The British Army's Carver Barracks, Essex and the paint donated by Johnsons Paints.

However, Cllr Henley is facing opposition from Dudley Council about where to put the new shell, he wants to install it on the junction of Long Lane and Nimmings Road.

He said: “The council have said due to some issues they cannot put it in the original place on the island because of lighting and signage, but that’s where we want it so I’m still going to continue to push for that.

“If we can’t get it there then we will put it on the corner of Maple Road and Long Lane by the planters.

“The original shell was from the First World War when the Shell Corner was then called the Junction."

Cllr Henley believes the new shell will help reinvigorate an area which has been blighted by crime in recent years.

He said: “When I was first campaigning as a councillor it was something that a lot of residents and shop owners said they would like to see in place again.

“We think it was there up until the early 1970s but, when the pavement was re-done and the area revamped, it just vanished.”

He added: “The shell is a real one and has been donated from Essex and weighs half a ton.

“Halesowen College has it now for the students to decorate, we are thinking of poppies around the base and silhouettes of war. It’s about letting people know the history of the area.”

Richard Hodgetts, operations manager for Birmingham, said: “Johnstone’s Decorating Centres are delighted to donate the paint for the war memorial on Shell Island in Halesowen.

"It is a great opportunity for the community to remember such an iconic event, but also to preserve an important piece of history."

He added: "We are grateful to be a part of this and hope the people of Halesowen enjoy the project for many years to come.”