A RELATIVE of a solider who died during the First World War has called for a new plaque listing the names of all the local soliders killed in both world wars to be erected in Corporation Park, Blackburn.

George Hardman’s uncle, Private Daniel Ashton died aged 18 in May 1915, and was the son of John James and Catherine Ashton who lived in Whalley Old Road, Blackburn.

Mr Hardman, 79, who lives in Whalley, has called on Blackburn with Darwen Council to put up a new plaque after noticing that names on the cathedral grounds memorial, which includes his uncle’s name, were fading and becoming ‘almost impossible to read’.

The Royal British Legion in Blackburn have given their support to Mr Hardman and want a new memorial to be put up in the Remembrance Garden in the park.

Mr Hardman said: “It’s a disgrace that the council have not spotted this problem sooner and I very much hope that something can be done about it.

“It’s the centenary of the start of the First World War next year and it’s only right that the council put up a new memorial which includes all of the names of the fallen in the area during the war.

“The memorial in the cathedral grounds is becoming harder to read each year because of the weather damage and soon no one will be able to pick out their relative’s names.”

Des Owen, president of the Royal British Legion in Blackburn, said: “I fully support this idea and it would be fitting if a new plaque were to be erected in the centenary year.

“It’s important to make sure that these memorials are well kept.”

A spokeswoman for the council said it was waiting to hear from the British Legion and Mr Hardman and it would hold talks with them on the topic.