A TOWN war memorial saved from being moved 100 miles to Staffordshire has been listed for special protection by Historic England.

The Park Road Methodist Church’s War Memorial, which has the names of 15 members of the congregation who died in the First World War, was the subject a successful campaign to to keep it in Darwen in 2003/2004.

The 15 foot-high stone monument stood outside the church after it closed in 1989 and is now located opposite the Cross of Sacrifice in Darwen Western Cemetery.

The Grade II listing means that the memorial cannot be moved or altered without the consent of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council which would have to consult Historic England before approving any changes.

After the church was sold the new owner converted the building into a workshop and private home.

In 2003, he decided he no longer wanted the memorial in his garden and suggested that the structure be moved to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Liberal Democrat councillor Karimeh Foster, in whose then Whitehall ward the church was located, launched a campaign to keep it in Darwen.

With the aid of senior Labour councillor Andy Kay the campaign succeeded and in 2004 it was moved to the cemetery by soldiers from the 75th Royal Engineers Regiment.

Chair of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery Tony Foster said: “This listing of the Park Road War Memorial is another reminder of the sacrifice of both young and older men who enlisted in The Great War, especially as we near the end of its 100 years anniversary.”

The memorial contains 15 names including James Slater, the oldest at 38, who was awarded the Military Medal.

One of the youngest commemorated was James Gledhill Doody, 18 when he enlisted in 1915 before being sent to France in June. He died just four months later.

Mr Doody’s father was the head gardener at the cemetery and the family lived in the South Lodge behind the current site of the memorial.

Mrs Foster, now retired from the council, said: “I am very pleased it has now been listed and protected for future generations. It has taken a while but I welcome this move.”

Cllr Kay added: “This is excellent news.”