THE Cornish Cross at Saltash was officially launched when television personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan unveiled a plaque.

The husband-and-wife team live in London but also have a house at Talland Bay.

Richard said: 'This is a fabulous project and a wonderful way to mark the gateway to Cornwall.'

He said that if ever a sculpture could be called iconic, this was it, and it was a beautiful work of art and very Cornish, and he added that it was also about the future, manufactured from hi-tech materials.

Judy said that she had been coming to Cornwall with Richard for about 30 years and the county was now their spiritual home.

Town mayor Martin Gee, who attended the ceremony with his wife Maggie, the mayoress, said: 'We are the gateway to Cornwall and now have something to announce that and hope that the cross will attract more visitors into the town's busy Fore Street.'

Saltash Waterside Residents Association (SWRA) secured funding of around £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund's Community Spaces programme for the cross project beside the Tamar Bridge. Contributions have also come from Cornwall Council, Saltash Town Council and the Duchy of Cornwall, which brought the total budget for the Celtic Cross and the restoration of Elwell Woods nearby, to more than £600,000.

Councillor Joe Ellison played a key role in reviving the project after it lapsed and, with the help of SWRA, worked to restore Elwell Woods and bring the cross to Saltash.

SWRA chairman Liam Bradley said: 'We are thrilled that Richard and Judy were able to come and celebrate the launch of the Cornish Cross and Elwell Woods with us.

The original idea and suggestion of a Celtic cross came from a meeting of Saltash Churches Together in 1998 when members discussed plans for the Millennium and Brian Bliss suggested Carkeel as a suitable site.

Mr Bliss attended the launch of the Celtic Cross and said he was pleased that, at last, it was in place.