CAMPAIGNERS have raised a pint of thanks to Holdens Brewery after proceeds from a special beer brewed in honour of Abraham Darby has helped bolster funds for a statue in memory of the industrialist.

Residents and councillors in Woodsetton have been working hard to secure funding to create a statue in memory of the father of the Industrial Revolution, to celebrate his birth in the area in 1678.

Woodsetton-based brewery Holdens brewed Abraham Darby 1st Molton Glow Special last year, with proceeds going to the fund.

Now, thanks to proceeds from the beer and donations from the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre, along with a help from the Friends of Wrens Nest and Woodsetton Charitable Trust, the memorial is one step closer to completion.

Councillor Adam Aston said: "It's fantastic to see the project progressing and the funds that have been kindly donated by Holden's Brewery from the sale of the special molten glow ale that they produced and from CAMRA from the Winter Ales Festival will make a massive difference.

"We are extremely grateful for all the help and support that we have received from Holden's, the Friends of Wrens Nest and Woodsetton Charitable Trust for the project that we are running with local residents to get a permanent monument to pioneer of industry Abraham Darby, who was born on what is now the nature reserve which was located in the Township of Woodsetton".

"We are also extremely pleased that a recent funding application to Enovert Community Trust has been approved, which will bring in an additional £23,000 for the project, so we are very grateful to the trustees at Enovert for the support they have given to this important community project.

Councillor Keiran Casey added: "As local people, born and bred, myself and Adam are extremely proud of our local area and it's history.

"Abraham Darby was a pioneer of industry and along with Dudd Dudley before him perfected the methods of producing pig iron in a blast furnace fuelled by coke rather than charcoal, which was a major step forward in the production of iron as a raw material for the Industrial Revolution.

"We are very much looking forward to seeing the monument in place acting almost as a gateway feature to Woodsetton, showcasing some of the fantastic work done by great local companies who have also kindly donated to our project, but also acting as a constant reminder of the fantastic history that we have and the contribution our area and the Black Country has made to our country".