TWO local researchers are campaigning to find 200 names which have disappeared from a war memorial.

Neighbours Mel Diak, 55, and George Hardman, 70, from Mitton Road, Whalley, were carrying out research on the town’s fallen at Blackburn’s Cathedral grounds when they came upon a weathered old memorial.

The memorial was formerly the parish roll of names of men who died in the First World War at St Michaels and All Angels Church, which was moved to the cathedral grounds in the 80s.

The old memorial, which is thought to have been badly damaged in the acid rains of the 30s and 40s is made of a soft sandstone and was erected on the former site of the original church, Palm Street, in 1920 and moved to the Cathedral in 1981.

The two researchers have managed to salvage 19 names which were still legible but say 200 names have disappeared, and they have been unable to find any records attached to the memorial.

Mr Diak, who has an MBE for youth services due to his work with youngsters in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley and Mr Hardman, who served in Singapore while completing National Service, are keen to see the names uncovered.

Mr Diak said: “The front still depicts the words 'In Honour of the Men who fell in the Great War 1914-1919' and the words ' Their Names Liveth for Evermore'. We have tried to research the names from local history books, the present church representatives, the cathedral, the local library, the Bromsgrove Guild and other sources without any success.

“It is very sad that the names of these brave soldiers have been allowed to vanish over many years without being given the care and attention they deserved. They should never been 'forgotten' and we wish to restore the remaining names who died for their country.”

Canon Andrew Hindley at the cathedral said he applauded the men’s efforts. He said: “It is a beautiful memorial and it is a shame it has been reduced to this state. There is no way to maintain stone which is as soft as this one and you would hope there would be original records of the names somewhere. Their names should not be forgotten and an effort to put this right is very commendable.”