Backing for Darwin memorial plan

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury in 1809

A project in Shrewsbury to create a memorial to mark Charles Darwin's 200th birthday has secured a major sponsor.

The memorial reflecting the variety of stone in Shropshire will be unveiled on 12 February, 2009 to mark the Shrewsbury-born naturalist's birthday.

Shrewsbury and Atcham council said it would interpret the "geological story".

Sponsor Aggregate Industries UK Ltd said Darwin, who showed how natural selection could explain evolution, was less well known as a geologist.

Darwin spent his early years in Shrewsbury.

He returned to the town following the Voyage of the Beagle - his trip around the world between 1831-36.

A "Geo Garden", which is said to reflect the different sorts of rocks found in the county, will surround the memorial, called Quantum Leap.

Aggregate Industries would support the scheme with "substantial donations" of materials and expertise, the borough council said.

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