POTENTIAL designs for monuments to honour the dedication of key workers in the Dudley borough during the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed.

The designs, drawn up by Dudley artist Steve Field, come as part of the borough's plans to formally recognise the work of health, care and key workers.

One design would see a glass monument in the shape of a rainbow be permanently placed outside Russells Hall Hospital, created out of multi-coloured hearts.

It is hoped each heart will be purchased or sponsored by members of the public and could be personalised with messages of thanks.

Another idea being considered is for the creation of columns to be placed in town centres across the borough, each depicting scenes including doctors and nurses at work and communities uniting for Clap for Cares.

The columns could be placed in Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen and Brierley Hill town centres to create a Trail around the borough.

Councillor Keiran Casey, who put forward the commemoration proposals to the local authority, said: "It's great to see the initial drawings that have been put together by our fantastic borough artist Steve Field.

"I think these ideas really do capture the thanks and appreciation that we all want to give to everyone that has done so much for us during this difficult time, not only those on the frontline who we owe so much to in our hospitals and care homes, but those right up and down the borough and country who have worked tirelessly in the community, kept our supermarkets open and stocked, our streets safe and clean and our bins emptied, to mention just a few.

"I'd like to hear what local people think about these designs as this is something that I would hope everyone would want to be involved in to really show how thankful we are and to ensure that we have a lasting legacy in our borough showing our appreciation."

Meanwhile, Councillor Casey's proposal for care workers to be granted Freedom of the Borough is set to be given the stamp of approval at Full Council in July.