CALLS have been made to erect a monument on the site of the last battle of the English Civil War.

Malvern Hills District Council leader Councillor Tom Wells said it was "terrible" there was not a proper monument marking the battle at Powick Hams, on September 3, 1651.

The battle - won by the Parliamentary Army under Oliver Cromwell - signalled the end of the 9-year struggle.

Thousands of Scots, fighting for the future Charles II were killed in the fight against Oliver Cromwell's men. There were reports of the River Severn running red with blood.

A small plaque already exists on Powick bridge marking the historic event but now Coun Wells wants to see a more significant monument erected.

The plaque also marks a skirmish between the Parliamentary armies and the Royalists near Powick Bridge in 1642, at the beginning of the Civil War.

"I think it's time we erected a more suitable monument marking the scene of the Battle of Worcester and also to the thousands of Scottish soldiers who lost their lives that day," said Coun Wells.

"The battle changed the course of history and had dynamic consequences for the relationship between Parliament and the monarch and I think it's important it's properly commemorated."

Coun Wells said a monument would benefit the tourism industry and he was interested in hearing whether the public would be prepared to donate towards it.

He said he was also keen to discuss the idea with Worcester City Council officers, and the parish councils in Powick and Kempsey.

But civil war re-enactor Richard Delingpole of Henwick Road, St John's, Worcester, said a monument would need to be something significant such as an obelisk as the site was not an ideal stopping point for visitors.

He added that it may be more suitable if a monument was erected in Worcester City centre "signposting" people to the battle site.

"In principle I support the idea of a better monument there, but it's a bit of an out-of-the-way area and not very visible to visitors," he said.

"The site has a lot of historical significance though and I'd support anything that increases interest in local history."

Coun Wells will discuss the scheme with Worcestershire County Council's archivist and historians. in the next few weeks.