A PROMINENT memorial in the heart of Totnes which honours a famous explorer of Australia appears to be disappearing down under itself.

The Wills Memorial near to the Brutus Bridge was set up to honour the ill-fated explorer of Australia John Wills but it is shrinking, according to one historian.

Over the last century the 22ft high granite monument which sits on The Plains has shrunk by around 18 inches.

It also appears to have begun to lean a couple of inches in a westward direction.

Totnes historian James Bellchambers reckons that while the large monument seems to have sunk slightly into the ground under its own weight most of its lost base has disappeared because of a build up of the road and then pavement surfaces that have been added over the years.

Now he would like to see the missing section of the memorial uncovered in time for the giant 2011 celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition across Australia in which both men died.

Mr Bellchambers said: "As the centenary of the death of Wills is coming up in 2011 it might be a fitting way to celebrate the event by finding a way of recovering the original proportions of the piece. A simple clearance of the lower area and a drain to take away the surplus water should be all that is necessary."

The memorial was built in 1864 to honour Totnes-born Wills three years after he died during the attempt to cross the Australian continent from south to north in 1861.

Australia is planning a massive round of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the expedition and is aiming to include the birthplace of Wills in them — with joint civic dinners, displays, a Burke and Wills procession through the town, wreath laying at the monument and school competitions.

There are even plans to fly the Australian flag over the town to mark the event.

Mr Bellchambers has used a photo taken in 1904 and one taken recently to compare the differences in the monument, which plainly shows the base has been foreshortened over the years.

Mr Bellchambers said: "Over the century since the photograph was taken the base of the monument has been covered with repeated layers of paving. Comparing and measuring the two pictures shows that there is nearly 54cm of newly deposited material around the base.

"This has made the original proportions of the monument look strangely unbalanced. Incidentally it has also sunk slightly and the top now leans a couple of inches further to the west."

The monument is owned by Totnes Town Council which two years ago paid £600 to have it cleaned.

Town clerk David Edward said: "This is the first time we have had this matter raised and now we are aware of the situation I will refer it to the appropriate council committee."

As for paying to having the base of the monument cleared he said: "The council will have to decide whether the benefit is commensurate with the cost."