DARWEN Town Council is looking into working with a local historian to create a roll of honour commemorating the town’s war dead.

Tony Foster, a member of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery who has done lots of research into the history of the town, made the suggestion during a meeting of the town council.

During the meeting, Mr Foster voiced concerns at a lack of town council-led initiatives to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Britain’s declaration of war over Germany.

Speaking during the public forum at the end of the meeting at Darwen Town Hall, Mr Foster said: “What do you intend to do to commemorate the Darwen men and women from the First World War?”

Mayor Coun Trevor Maxfield said: “Blackburn with Darwen Council held a Lights Out event which was very well attended.”

Mr Foster replied: “But that was two or three hours for more than 2,000 men and women.

“Does that seem enough?”

Coun Maxfield said: “There are more events coming up over the next four years.”

Mr Foster said: “But there does not seem to be anything being co-ordinated by the town council.”

Councillors discussed there were many memorials in churches and clubs throughout the town containing the names of some people who died during the war.

But Mr Foster suggested a roll of honour containing the names of every person who fought during the four-year conflict.

He said: “We never had a roll of honour, like in Blackburn, where the pages are turned each day.

“Darwen does not have such a document and I think that is something worth considering. I do not think we need another memorial like you have in the churches.”

Councillors said the suggestion would be added to the agenda for next month’s meeting, when it will be discussed fully.

l During the town council meeting, Coun Maxfield said a letter of complaint had been received over last Monday’s ‘Lights Out’ event in the Market Square.

He said: “It says it was not a success and criticises those who were involved. I am not going to respond to that.

“If he thought that was not a success I don’t know what is.”