A MONUMENT to the 30,000 soldiers killed in a ferocious medieval battle has been officially unveiled.

The stone pyramid was put in place to remember the dead of the notorious Battle of Towton, near Tadcaster - said to be the bloodiest clash on English soil.

Archaeology enthusiasts worked for two years to raise funds for the memorial, sculpted by renowned artist Steve Hines.

Mark Taylor, chairman of the Towton Battlefield Society, said he hoped the sculpture would not only be a monument to the dead, but also help raise the profile of England's "forgotten battlefield".

The sculpture stands in the graveyard at Saxton Church, on top of a mass grave where the remains of 69 excavated bodies are buried.

It was unveiled at a special ceremony on St George's Day by battlefield detective Tim Sutherland, of Bradford University, who has spent years working on the site.

Mr Taylor said: "This is such an important site. On our doorstep we have one of the country's best preserved and most interesting battlefields - but also the most forgotten.

"We were very lucky to have Steve Hines as a member of the society. He has always had a vision to put a monument in Towton, and we were more than happy to give him the chance.

"His sculpture is a monument to the dead of the battle, and also something we think adds value to the area, something that will raise the profile of the site and entice tourists."

The Battle of Towton took place on Palm Sunday on March 29, 1461. King Henry VI's Lancastrian army was smashed by forces loyal to Edward IV. York was on the Lancastrian side, and 1,000 men from the city went to battle and did not return.

Updated: 10:48 Monday, April 25, 2005