Phone box becomes tiny tourist centre

A decommissioned phone box in a village in Shropshire has been turned into a tiny tourist information centre.

Rick Clarke, a resident in All Stretton, designed and built a 3D model of the area out of recycled foam from a chair and bits of wire.

Ten buildings and landmarks are highlighted on the model, with cards placed on the phone box windows, describing places of interest.

Caroline Crumps who chairs the All Stretton Village Society said it is like having a "tourist information centre in the middle of a small village".

Rick Clarke made the model inside out of recycled foam and bits of wire

At first, the society considered putting books in the phone box, but there was already a small library at the bus stop.

Members also thought about turning it into a fruit and veg exchange, but Ms Crump said, "as it had been so hot, we realised everything would rot within 10 minutes".

She said the model had been really popular with walkers and passers-by.

Ten of the village's most historic landmarks and buildings are shown on the model

Mr Clarke, who built the model in three weeks, said: "The landmark which had aroused the most interest was the castle... lots of people go up the hill to see the castle and there isn't one.

"The history society have said there is some debate now as to whether there ever was a motte and bailey castle or just the site of a wooden structure.

"I hear people coming down the hill saying 'oh there was nothing there', which is quite amusing."

Another of Mr Clarke's favourites is the tiny cardboard cut-out of popular local character John Parry, who is in his 80s, cycling along the lane to visit his sheep.