AN archway has been unveiled in Knutsford to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

Knutsford Town Council revealed the artwork on the path that leads to the library, on Toft Road on Friday.

The archway has six diamonds and six pennants, all to mark each decade that the Queen has been on the throne, and has been designed by Pickmere artist Christine Wilcox-Baker.

Cheshire Lord Lieutenant David Briggs unveiled the arch, along with town mayor Clr Vivien Davies.

Clr Jan Nicholson, who led the project, said: “I thought as a council we should do something to celebrate the diamond jubilee. I thought of an arch, similar to the Elizabeth Gaskell bicentenary one, and we thought about putting it on The Moor.

“However due to an issue with applying for the funding it couldn’t go there.

“I was put in touch with Christine and she went away and came back with the design.

“The environment committee approved it and here we are today.”

Mrs Wilcox-Baker said a great deal of research had gone into the archway to make sure it was relevant to the town.

“It had to be celebratory for the diamond jubilee and relevant to Knutsford,” she said.

“So we have the horses, as the May Day procession is led by horse, and the fact there was a horse race on The Heath.

“It’s really exciting, and it was lovely to have done this in Knutsford.”

Dave Broadbent produced the steel archway at his forge in Mobberley.

He said it took three weeks to build.

“It was lovely to see so many people here, hopefully the residents will like it,” he said.

The archway was funded thanks to grants from Manchester Airport and the Crown Estate.

Steve Melligan, strategic land manager at the Crown Estate, said: “We look at funding applications on a case-by-case basis, but with it being for the Diamond Jubilee, we thought it was a great link between the town and the Crown Estate so were delighted to help.

“The archway is a fitting tribute.”

Wendy Sinfield, community relations manager for Manchester Airport, said: “It is important to everyone here at the airport that the Community Trust Fund is able to make a difference to the local community.

“We hope that the archway to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will become a landmark for the community of Knutsford and become a legacy in the area for years to come.”

l What do you think about the archway? The Guardian has looked in its archives to see if anything similar was done for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 but has not found anything.

Do you know if anything was done? If so call the newsdesk on 01606 813617.