VETERANS are set to complete the final phase of work to restore Whitworth’s memorial garden in time for the commemorations of the start of the First World War.

Proposals to finish off the revamp include rebuilding a stone wall and installing a poppy tank, alongside a new stone seating area.

Members of Veterans In Communities (VIC) will provide the muscle for the task from next April.

Work began in 2011 after Whitworth and Healey Horticultural Society, with the town council, Rossendale Council and Profitts, were awarded £90,000 by the Community Spaces programme.

Whitworth Neighbourhood Forum has given a £3,500 grant for the final leg and VIC engineers will volunteer their time.

Andrea Goodall, VIC project co-ordinator, said: “The horticultural society has worked very hard to improve the memorial gardens.

But the final phase needs expertise, physical strength and engineering knowledge.”