AN OSWESTRY-based tourist attraction famous for making sculptures is set to build a monument in memory of those who died in a terrorist attack in Manchester in 2017.

The British Ironwork Centre (BIC) is using knives and weapons collected as part of an amnesty in the city to build a giant bee – the symbol of Manchester, to remember the victims of the attack at Manchester Arena.

A total of 22 people died during the attack, which happened shortly after an Ariana Grande concert, and more than 800 people were injured.

The weaponry used to create the monument have been collected as part of a weapon amnesty known as the Forever Amnesty, organised by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Chairman of the BIC, Clive Knowles, said the bee will take up a prominent position in Manchester after its completion.

He said: “Taking inspiration from Manchester’s bee symbolism, the monument will take on the form of a giant bee, watching over the city and providing a reminder of their stance against violent and aggressive behaviour.

“It will be used by the GMP and the wider region as an educational tool.

“A suitable location for the monument is still yet to be decided upon but, of course, it will be placed in a very prominent position where the maximum number of residents and visitors will be able to view and learn of its meaning.”

The knife and gun banks used for the amnesty were designed and created at the centre.

They have been utilised as part of a continual programme to encourage and support the public to surrender their dangerous weapons in order to clear the streets of violent and aggressive behaviour.

Manchester is the first location in the UK to develop and commit to an ongoing amnesty project like this, with all collected weapons to be used to create an anti-violence monument for the city.

Mr Knowles will be inviting those affected by the attack to inscribe something onto the sculpture.

He said: “With Manchester’s anti-violence monument symbolising the city’s complete intolerance to all forms of violent behaviour, we wanted to use its creation as an opportunity to reach out to all the families affected by the shocking and deeply saddening event.”

To find out more information, call 0800 6888 386 or email info@britishironworkcentre.co.uk to discuss an inscription.