Star Madeleine book a hit

A book featuring previously unpublished pictures of legendary Hollywood actress Madeleine Carroll is proving a hit.

People could get signed copies of historian Terry Price's book, West Bromwich Memories when he was at Ashwood Nurseries, Ashwood Lower Lane, Kingswinford at the weekend.

The book, which took about 18 months to produce includes a chapter about West Bromwich-born Madeleine, who became a pin-up starring in Alfred Hitchcock's The Thirty-Nine Steps.

It also includes more than 400 old photographs and many previously unpublished pictures of Madeleine, making it double the size of past releases.

The book is the current bestseller for Suttons publishers and Terry said he would continue fighting to ensure the actress got the recognition she deserved.

He added: "It was good to see so many people turn out to the signing and I hope they enjoy reading it."

A 10-ft monument is due to be erected in tribute to Madeleine in West Bromwich town centre, but its unveiling has been delayed. Originally it was thought it would be on show in November.

However, a series of delays have hit the £17,000 project. An unveiling date will be confirmed in January. Mr Price, campaigner for officially honouring the actress, said: "I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to work jointly with Sandwell Council to provide a fitting and long overdue tribute to Madeleine Carroll in the town of her birth."

The three metre tall stone in grey and black granite was commissioned to sit outside The Public, New Street. One side has bronze inlaid panels with details of Madeleine's life and achievements. The reverse has a laser-cut stainless steel profile of Madeleine's face.

The council engaged Camlin Lonsdale, lead landscape architects for the town square, together with locally-born monumental mason John Styles, to work with Mr Price. The stone was funded by the council and Mr Price.