A MONUMENT to rival Worcester's statue of Sir Edward Elgar?

It could happen if Battle of Worcester enthusiasts, determined to put the city's incredible history on the world tourist map, get their way.

The Civil War clash of 1651 changed the face of England and gave us the parliamentary system we rely on today.

It saw King Charles II flee for his life as Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army fought its way through the city's streets.

There is no question it was one of the most important battles ever fought on British soil.

So, why do the citizens of Worcester fail to commemorate it?

There are no rousing battle re-enactments and no dedicated museums.

But all that could soon change now that the newly formed Battle of Worcester Partnership, supported by the Battle of Worcester Society and Worcester City Council, has launched the Battle of Worcester Monument Appeal.

It is hoped, through public donations, that the partnership can raise enough money to build a site-specific battle monument.

"It should be a landmark," said Dilip Sarkar, the city historian leading the appeal.

"Like the Elgar Statue in the High Street - something just as impressive, just as imposing."

Malvern sculptor Kenneth Potts, the artist responsible for the aforementioned Elgar, has been charged with creating the piece.

"Whether it'll be a group of figures or a great big battle relief, we don't know," said Mr Sarkar.

"With two opposing sides it'll be difficult to depict anything with just one figure."

The appeal marks the beginning of bigger things.

The overall aim is to open a purpose-built Battle of Worcester tourist centre and create a city-wide battle trail.

Phase one of the trail, which will see bronze reliefs installed at important sites from Fort Royal and Sidbury Gate to Worcester Cathedral and the Commandery, is already in motion.

"We've done careful research into existing battlefield tourism," said Mr Sarkar.

"We've looked at what the others offer and we really think, with Heritage Lottery Funding, we could do more than rival them - we could exceed them.

"We really want to be visionary with this. We don't want to produce something that is immediately out-dated and not of interest to young people."

Woven into the fabric of the bloodthirsty battle are personal tales of triumph and woe, which are similarly of interest to tourists.

The story of Royalist traitor William Guise is just one.

Turning his back on the King, Guise went to Cromwell and warned him of a surprise Royalist attack on the Parliamentarian's position at Red Hill.

His fate was to be hanged by the neck from a pub sign in Broad Street.

A copy of his death mask can still be seen at Coffee Republic in the High Street.

"The battle is our natural resource," said Mr Sarkar.

"It couldn't have been better scripted by Hollywood and we need to start paying it the attention it deserves."

To find out more about the Battle of Worcester Partnership, and how to donate, contact Julie Cushing on 0792 8354244 or BoWPinfo@yahoo.co.uk Also see www.battleofworcester society.org.uk

FACT FILE: THE AMERCIAN INFLUENCEIn early April 1786, future American presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson visited Fort Royal Hill in Worcester.

Adams is said to have been deeply moved but incredibly disappointed at the lack of knowledge Worcester residents had of the battle.

In an impromptu lecture he asked: "And do Englishmen so soon forget the ground where liberty was fought for?

"Tell your neighbours and your children that this is holy ground, much holier than that on which your churches stand. All England should come in pilgrimage to this hill, once a year."

A huge proportion of Americans, especially those descended from the Scottish soldiers whom Cromwell exiled, are aware of this moment and the battle. The Battle of Worcester Partnership hope that they too will want to see the battle monument, centre and trail and Worcester will become a must for any Americans visiting the UK.

THE BATTLE THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF WORCESTER:* The Battle of Worcester took place on September 3, 1651 * It was the final battle of the Third English Civil War, a conflict between Charles II, who wanted to regain the throne, and Oliver Cromwell, who had appointed himself Lord Protector of England.

* Charles' original intention was to march through the traditionally Royalist regions of Lancashire and the Welsh border, raising troops on the way, before striking towards London. However, he failed to rally allies and decided instead to set up camp in Worcester, arriving in the city on August 22.

* Cromwell's New Model Army was marching through England with similar intentions of gathering forces on the way.

* When the Parliamentarian army eventually converged on Worcester it consisted of 28,000 regular troops with an additional 3,000 militiamen, out-numbering Charles' army of Scottish highlanders.

* On August 30, Cromwell ordered bridges of boats to be built over the river Severn and the Teme. This tactic proved vital during the eventual battle and helped the Parliamentarians overwhelm the Royalists.

* When the Parliamentarian militia reached the city, they stormed and captured Fort Royal and turned the Royalist guns onto Charles' men.

* The final stage of the battle was a confused running fight through the streets.

* After losing the battle Charles, who had watched the fighting from the top of Worcester Cathedral tower, was forced to flee for his life.

* The Scottish soldiers who were not put to the sword were transported to America.

* Cromwell, who returned to Parliamentarian strongholds in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, described Worcester as a "crowning mercy". It was his last battle as an active commander.