Smethwick writer Adrian Johnson took his place on the empty fourth plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square this weekend.

He and Tividale mother-of-two Kay Lockley, both spent an hour on the plinth over the weekend as part of public art project One and Other by artist Antony Gormley.

Adrian, a freelance writer of Merrivale Road in Smethwick, took his place from 3 to 4pm on Saturday.

He took props to re-enact a story inspired by the poll tax protests which he attended in Trafalgar Square nearly two decades ago. The 44-year-old said: “It was absolutely amazing – a really energising experience.”

Mother-of-two Kay Lockley, who lives in Tividale, took her place at 7pm yesterday.

The 48-year-old, was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus eight years ago and was on the plinth in a bid to raise awareness of the condition.