World War One tank monument set for Lincoln roundabout Published duration 20 December 2013

image caption The memorial will stand near where the first battle tank was built in 1916

A life-size tribute to the world's first military tank is to be built in the city where it was invented.

City of Lincoln Council granted permission for the memorial near the former William Foster and Co factory where tanks were first produced.

The Lincoln Tank Memorial Group hopes to complete the tribute in time for the 100th anniversary of World War One.

The monument, planned for the Tritton Road roundabout, will depict a Mark I model.

"Little Willie" was the first prototype military tank and was built at the Lincoln factory in 1915,

By the time it was completed, a new design was under construction - the Mark I - which became the standard for all British heavy tanks in World War One.

These were also built at the factory, just yards from the planned memorial site.

Julie Cooke, from the memorial group, said both her grandmother and great-uncle worked at the William Foster and Co factory.

She said: "This isn't just about the tank, this is about the engineering history of the city.

"Most of the engineering firms have died out now. We hope it will educate people both locally and visitors to the city."

Funding for the project - estimated at £40,000 - has been gathered over the last 18 months and the group is confident the structure will be unveiled in September.