SIGNS commemorating First World War heroes are to be erected around a council’s boundaries.

Hyndburn Council has unveiled proud new signs declaring the borough the ‘Home of the Accrington Pals’.

The new boundary signs, which will be erected at 16 points on Hyndburn’s boundaries, are part of plans to commemorate the Pals centenery next year.

The sign replacements will cost an estimated £3,200 with every area council in Hyndburn being asked to contribute around £355.

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said the new signs were one of many ideas planned for the commemorations over the next five years.

He said: “The Accrington Pals are interweaved into the very fabric of our local history.

“On that fateful first day of the Battle of the Somme, they suffered severe losses and over 600 casualties, leaving the community shattered and hardly anyone untouched, with so many losing husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, friends and neighbours.”

The Accrington Pals Centenary Commemorations Group, made up of members of the community including Pals experts, historians, craftspeople involved in drama, voluntary groups and the council came up with the plan.

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe said he welcomed the decision.

He said: “It is a good idea, especially as it’s 100 years since the First World War next year. I do think the boundary signs are in need of replacing on our boundaries.”