FOUND battered and broken two years ago on a scrap heap, a First World War memorial featuring twelve Clitheroe heroes has been restored to its former glory.

The chance finding of the battered memorial near Manchester sparked the hunt for family members of the men featured on the roll of honour.

Carol Pearson, from Clitheroe, was one of the first relatives to come forward.

Her grandfather, Peter Hulland, was a private in the 2/5th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment.

He enlisted in Clitheroe and lived with his wife, Maggie, in Union Street, Low Moor.

Originally from Forton, Mr Hulland worked at Low Moor Farm before becoming a time-keeper for the Co-operative Wholesale Society at a farm in Chaigley.

Carol said: “My mum and I knew that there was a memorial somewhere so when I heard about this being found I knew it was the one.

“It looks fantastic and it’s great that people are interested.

“It’s good to know that these men will not be forgotten.

“My grandfather was just 23 when he died so he didn’t get a chance to have a life. Seeing the memorial now in a lovely home is so emotional it’s wonderful.”

The memorial, which was officially unveiled at a re-dedication service, lay undiscovered for 15 years in a warehouse in Trafford Park.

It appears bronze, but is made of cast metal and fea-tures the names of 49 war casualties.

It was unveiled in its new home at The Co-operative Funeralcare on Cross Lane, Salford.

Three local British Legion groups from Langworthy, Broughton and Pendleton attended with their stand-ards and laid wreaths at the ceremony.

Canon David Wyatt, Father Sean Braiden and Reverend Kenneth Stokes led a bless-ing and hymns.

They were joined by some of the families of those com-memorated and a bugler sounded The Last Post.

With funding of £4,500 from The Co-operative Membership and £2,500 from the War Memorials Trust, it was restored by London-based Iain McLean from Antique Bronze.

The 12 men from Clitheroe are: Edmund Rawlinson, William Thomas, James Loynd, Charles Park, Thomas Hitchin, Peter Hulland, John Samuel Davies, J. Durham, James Fell, Dixon Alston, Thomas Alston and Robert Bowker.