A MEMORIAL stone to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War will be erected in a town.

David Moon, who is a member of Longridge Town Council, submitted plans to Ribble Valley Council to build a memorial stone and plaques at the memorial field at Drivers Walk off Berry Lane, Longridge.

The memorial field was bought by the community after the First World War to commemorate the 96 men of the town who died in the conflict.

The applicant has proposed the erection of one plaque on each of the main gateways into the recreational ground to read ‘Longridge WW1 memorial field’.

The plaques, sized at approximately 23 by 35cm, will be mounted on the existing gateposts in Barclay Road and Kestor Lane.

A third plaque, which would be manufactured from bronze, will be mounted on a large standing-stone of Longridge local sandstone.

The size would be approximately 44cm by 60cm.

Former Longridge Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, who was involved in overseeing the original plans for the memorial, said: “I’m overjoyed to hear the plans have been approved.

“The plans were first brought to the town council a couple of years ago.

“The memorial is an idea to preserve the recreational garden for what it is worth.

“There is a memorial near the station at Longridge and we go there to pay our respects and commemorate the sacrifices of war veterans during Remembrance.

“This memorial will be dedicated solely to the people who lost their lives in the period between 1914 and 1918.

"It’s great news that the plans have been given the go ahead.”

The memorial will now play a major part in the town’s growing community wide armistice project which will include engagement from all the schools in Longridge.

Simon Wallis, who is the headteacher at Barnacre Primary School, in Barnacre Road, Longridge, said: “I think it’s fantastic news. The memorial is something that’s well worth doing.

“All the schools in Longridge will be working together contributing towards m who raise the profile of the lives and the sacrifices made by the people of the town."