"I'M late, I'm late, for a very important date," the famous white rabbit's cry in Alice in Wonderland is a fitting message for a historic milestone this week.

A £6,000 memorial stone, planned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of Daresbury-born Lewis Carroll in 1998 was finally unveiled - after eight years, technical setbacks and 80 different approaches and funding bids.

"However, it has been worth the wait and we are delighted to now have the memorial stone in place," said architect and artist Dr Joakim Skovgaard, chairman of the Lewis Carroll centenary woodland committee

"We are hoping that the memorial will attract interest and tourists from all over the world. The Japanese have always been massive fans - they come in coach loads! And the Americans love his works too."

The six-inch thick granite stone has been hand carved, with Carroll's signature and other items. The monument was then embedded in 18 inches of concrete amongst a hexagon of oak trees, in the Lewis Carroll centenary woodland, near Daresbury.

Paul Nolan, director of the Mersey Forest, who helped develop the woodland, said: "It's great to see people choosing to celebrate great authors such as Lewis Carroll through the planting of new woodlands.

"As well as providing a fitting tribute, the facilities, open to the public, will also provide considerable benefit to local communities."