WELLING has lost its landmark cannon which has stood at Welling Corner for more than 20 years.

But it will not be gone for long.

The 36-pounder carronade which dates back to the late 1700s has been removed temporarily while a new wooden gun carriage is made for it.

The cannon, which is on loan from the Royal Artillery Firepower Museum in Woolwich, was brought back from the 1854-60 Crimean War by victorious British soldiers.

It has stood at Welling Corner since 1987, as a reminder of the town's connections with the Woolwich Arsenal whose First World War munitions workers lived in huts in East Wickham.

But while the cannon has weathered the years well, its wooden carriage has deteriorated to the point where it needs to be replaced.

Following talks with the Welling Town Partnership, Bexley Council has commissioned Welling company E.S. Joinery, of Leigh Place, to build the new carriage using treated European oak, which should last much longer than the previous carriage.

It is hoped the cannon will be back in place in the next few weeks.