A NEW bench commemorating the marriage of the Duke of Cambridge has been unveiled at his father’s model development.

The stone bench at Victor Jackson Square in Poundbury, the development inspired by Prince Charles, was specially commissioned to commemorate the marriage of his son Prince William and Kate Middleton a year ago.

The new bench, which replaces an existing bench that was broken, was carved by Weymouth College stonemasonry student Peter Loizou.

It is the latest accomplishment by the talented student, who was the overall winner of the Weymouth College Stone Boss competitions in 2010 and 2011 and produced the winning design for the Thomas Fowell Buxton monument to be erected in Weymouth this year.

The Poundbury Residents’ Association called for the new bench to mark the royal occasion after the Duchy of Cornwall confirmed that the fountain at Victor Jackson Square would remain in its current position.

There had been suggestions it would move to the centre of the nearby roundabout.

Chairman of the association Margaret Morrissey said: “I am delighted with the new bench as local residents have noticed that mothers and children, as well as office workers, enjoy sitting on the benches by the fountain in the summertime and this bench not only offers more seating, but is a reminder of a particularly joyful event.

“We are very grateful to Ian Ingrey Counter from our committee who has led the project on our behalf, and we wish to extend our sincere thanks to Kevin Crabbe and the team from the Duchy of Cornwall who have been so helpful with the specification, practical help and installation.”

The bench was formally unveiled by Mayor of Dorchester Tess James at a special ceremony.

She said: “Peter Loizou has done a wonderful job on the bench and lots of Poundbury residents came out to see it opened. We were fortunate with the weather, the sun shone and it was a very happy occasion. I hope people will enjoy using it in the future.”