An exhibition showing three shortlisted designs for a memorial to Shrewsbury’s most famous son Charles Darwin has gone on show in the town centre.

Members of the public are being called upon to visit the show at the Darwin Shopping Centre and offer their opinions to help the judging panel with its decision for what will become a geo garden.

Director of the Darwin Festival Jon King said: “There are models of all three designs in the unit at the Darwin Shopping Centre as well as televisions showing presentations of the designs and what inspired them.

“When they started the pieces, we had no idea what was going to be created and each of them has approached the themes from different directions so now there is the hard part of deciding which one will be the final decision.

“We are encouraging people to go along to the exhibition and there’s the opportunity for people to leave their comments and see which they like which will help the expert panel when they make their decision next week.”

As well as reflecting Darwin’s ideas, the teams have been asked to produce a design that highlights Shropshire’s diverse geological story.

Mr King said he had also had a good response from aggregate companies in Shropshire.

He said: “The memorial to Darwin also represents the geology of the county.

“A number of people from aggregate companies attended the launch on Monday and were very encouraging in their support.”

Graham Galliers, chairman for the Public Arts Partnership, said: “I’m very pleased with the results. Next Monday, the truth will out.

“I’m looking forward to listening to everyone’s point of view and seeing if they want the ‘wow’ factor or more of the geological effect.”

The exhibition is open from 10am until 4pm until tomorrow.

The selected design will be installed at Mardol Quay Gardens in time to mark 200 years since Darwin’s birth on February 12, 2009.

By Rebecca Lawrence