AN ENGRAVED plaque has been sent to Buenos Aires to commemorate 100 years since a clock tower was built using bricks from Stonehouse.

In 1916 a train of 13 railway wagons was loaded with 55,000 bricks made at Stonehouse Brick and Tile Company to build the Torre Monumental tower as a memorial to the late King Edward VII.

The bricks, renowned for their high quality, were transported via Newport and Woodford on their way to the capital of Argentina.

Now members of Stonehouse History Group have sent off a brass engraved plaque on behalf of the town to commemorate the centenary.

Darrell Webb, from Stonehouse History Group, said: "After being informed from an Argentinean lady that the English tower in Buenos Aires made from Stonehouse bricks is celebrating its centenary this year, the history group thought a commemorative plaque would be a great idea.

"We managed to contact the chairman of the English residents in Buenos Aires who also thought it a fitting tribute.

"The plaque sent by air mail last Friday and will be mounted at the base of the tower."

British residents of Buenos Aires offered to build a tower to commemorate the centenary of the Argentinean May Revolution in September, 1909. 

Designed by English architect Sir Ambrose Macdonald Poynter, it was completed in 1916 with materials shipped from England such as the white Portland stone and the 55,000 bricks from Stonehouse Brick and Tile Co