AN ICONIC landmark will reopen to the public for the first time in around two years this weekend.

Hoad Monument is to welcome visitors inside again on Sunday after a lengthy hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The landmark overlooks Ulverston, with a spokeswoman for the town council saying the reopening would be 'great for the community'.

She said the volunteers who oversaw the site's open days had not felt comfortable running the operation until now due to Covid.

"They open it, they close it, they show people round," she said.

"We have people on the second floor, advising people if they want to walk up to the top."

The spokeswoman said the reopening would be 'weather dependant'.

"Hopefully we are going to have a nice October," she said.

The coming weeks will mark a brief outing for the monument as it would, ordinarily, have been open to the public each Sunday since Easter. It will close again at the end of this month as per normal.

The outside of the site has undergone a £17,000 facelift, funded by Ulverston Town Council, with repair work and repainting having taking place. A £2,000 project to spruce up the inside is 'ongoing'.

Hoad Monument will be open to the public between 1pm and 5pm on October 17, 24 and 31.

Members of the public are asked to wear face masks inside the monument. Donations upon entry are welcomed.