BURNLEY will remember those who died in the First World War next month.

Residents have been asked to gather at the town's peace gardens outside the library on Saturday, September 2.

The focus will be a commemoration of two Burnley soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military honour, for their bravery during the conflict.

On 31 July 1917, Thomas Whitham, 29, a private in the Coldstream Guards, came under attack near Ypres, Belgium.

Private Whitham on his own initiative immediately worked his way from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached the machine-gun and, captured it, saving many lives.

Hugh Colvin was a second lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment and took command of his company when his officers were injured and led them forward under heavy fire with great success.

The ceremony will centre on the unveiling of commemorative stones in honour of the men.

Cllr Lian Pate, the council's armed forces champion and chair of the local Armed Forces Community Covenant, said: "It's important that Burnley remembers and commemorates the contribution of soldiers from our borough who served in the First World War."

The event will take place from 11am.