The crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York City is to be reopened to visitors.

The iconic monument was closed following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the city. Symbolically the first visitors since that day will climb the 12-storey staircase to the crown on 4 July – American Independence Day.

But before you rush to book your tickets, only ten people will be allowed into the crown at any one time, with a limit of just 30 visitors per hour. Those visitors will initially be drawn via a lottery.

From the crown, the lucky ticket holders can gaze at New York Harbor through several small windows.

If the initial reopening is a success, visitor numbers will be increased.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the lower observation deck and base of the statue were closed until 3 August 2004 for fire safety, security and evacuation improvements.

The Statue of Liberty was originally shipped to New York from France in 214 giant crates in 1886.

New York