Look to the skies: Telford lasers launching town's 50th anniversary celebrations - with video

Seven light beams will converge on the Wrekin to mark 50 years since the town was first formed.

Dal Badial and his team from Laser Hire London are behind the lasers, which will light up Telford.

He was today testing equipment ahead of the lights being switched on. He says the Wrekin holds a special place in his heart and was delighted the company had been commissioned to put on the laser show today and tomorrow.

“The team has been working in Shropshire setting up the project. We have climbed church towers in towns across Telford and Wrekin and have been rewarded with some amazing scenes, especially at sunset," he said.

“The area is very close to my heart. We have chosen green lasers because of the colour, the 532 wavelength, which is the most vibrant on the spectrum.

“We wanted not just to put on a display but to make a statement. The lasers will join the community with the Wrekin as the saying 'Hands around the Wrekin' says.”

He urged people not to climb the Wrekin to see the spectacle and praised his light specialists Darren Elston, Rupert Morse and Shane de Cruse for helping to come up with the designs.

“It is not sensible to have people climbing up the Wrekin in the dark. They will be able to see the display from the ground, wherever they are in Telford.”

“It is one of the most ambitious projects we have done, beaming the lasers for up to 10 miles,” Mr Badial added.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Shaun Davies said: “The whole idea is about getting people to talk and bring people and places together. We are proudly made up of a number of areas, Madeley Dawley Brookside, Wellington. The whole idea of the laser show is from different areas, the Wrekin brings people together in Telford. It’s a landmark most people can see. It’s a talking point of the town and very symbolically bringing out communities and places together.

“I don’t think I’ll still be around but in 50 years as a council, we will ensure and try and build on the successes. We stand on shoulders of many great people who put forward their ideas and time and effort getting to where we are.

"If you look at some of the things we’re doing, we are showing the rest of the region how to perform. Look at the number of houses we’re building and that’s a big confident boost. Look at two indicators - are people wanting to live here? Yes. Are businesses wanting to come here? Yes. That is a big indicator of success.

“It’s an opportunity for the rest of the public sector to mark how special Telford is.”

Residents in the following area will be able to see the beams from their homes and streets: Tibberton - Apley, Wellington, Eyton upon the Weald Moors, Cherrington, Sleapford; High Ercall - Rodington Heath , Rodington, Isombridge, Allscott, Aston, Uppington; Madeley - Woodside, Lightmooor , Coalmoor; Newport - Church Aston, Edgmond, Adney, Donnington, Ketley; St George’s - Overdale , Ketley Bank , Newdale , Lawley Village; Lilleshall - Lilleshall, Muxton, Donnington Wood, Trench; Nedge - Stirchley, Telford Town Park, Dawley, Huntington, Horsehay, and Little Wenlock.

For a full round-up of Telford 50 events in 2018 go to telford50.co.uk