Stunning new war memorial officially unveiled on Armistice Day

Steel designers and fabricators, DP Structures, based at Dale Mill in Nelson, worked with South Ribble Borough Council to create the eye-catching monument.

The memorial has a striking yellow ‘rusted’ appearance and a cut-out silhouette of a soldier with head bowed, a large poppy and the word ‘Remember’ inscribed upon it.

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Written inside, visible to people standing in the peace garden behind the memorial, are the names of soldiers including Bamber Bridge’s Corporal John McNamara who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The 40ft tall memorial, which stands in Lostock Hall, will serve as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that more than 600 brave men from the borough made during the Great War.

It was officially dedicated at a ceremony attended by families of the men and some of Lancashire’s highest ranking dignitaries.

David Palmer, managing director of DP Structures, said: “The memorial is certainly one of the biggest and most prestigious pieces I have ever worked on. It was also probably the most difficult to make.

“The foundations were especially tricky because the monument came in four separate pieces which actually locked together on site.”

It took 10 weeks to make and was craned into place during the early hours to avoid crowds and welded together onsite.

Mr Palmer added: “The public reaction to this has been overwhelmingly positive, which is very satisfying. The sheer size and scale of this project alone makes it special. Each panel weighs three tonnes. .”