Firewood appeal sees Diamond Jubilee beacons saved

Three beacons being built on hills overlooking Church Stretton to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee have been saved thanks to a rallying cry from organisers, it was announced today.

Last Thursday it was revealed each beacon needed to contain at least 50 wooden pallets to form part of a national chain on June 4 to mark 60 years of the Queen's reign. At that time only 30 pallets had been secured.

The future looked bleak for the Caer Caradoc, Hazler and Helmeth hill beacons.

However, after the Shropshire Star appeal organiser John Woolmer was contacted by people across the county pledging to supply 350 pallets, tonnes of old decking and mounds of wood.

He said: "We won't be able to collect it all. I had calls from across Shropshire. It was amazing and I would like to thank everyone for the support.

"I will have to call some people to let them know we can't collect their wood, which is frustrating, but unfortunately we don't have the transport available now because the National Trust rangers have lent their tractor to Attingham Park.

"But the most important thing is the beacons have been saved."

The Church Stretton beacons will be lit at 10.26pm on June 4 to coincide with dozens of others in Shropshire and thousands across the British Isles from 10pm.

At 10.01pm all the farms, stately homes, and private estates, English Heritage and the National Trust sites will set their beacons alight.

At 10.12pm beacons along Hadrian's Wall will burst into life followed at 10.15pm by flaming tributes from local authorities.

At 10.20pm beacons linked with churches of all faiths will be lit with the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man following a minute after. At

10.29pm, the peaks of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Mount Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Slieve Donard in Northern Irel- and will be lit.

The Queen will light the National Beacon in London at 10.30pm.