THE future of a village's tribute to its war dead has been secured after it scooped more than £5,000 to repair the monument.

English Heritage and the War Memorials Trust have donated £5,200 to help repair the war memorial in Weir, Rossendale.

The tribute, a moorland cross, was built in 1935 to commemorate the 15 men from Weir who died in the First World War.

The cash, which comes just days before Remembrance Sunday, will help pay for the repair of the stone monument.

Joy Russell, chairman of the war memorials panel at Government body English Heritage said: "War memorials, never more so than at that this time of year, are a very real and immediate reminder of the losses borne by every community, across the country.

"As time goes by, our war memorials become increasingly vulnerable.

"Neglect and weathering can affect the fabric of monuments, over time potentially creating serious structural problems."

The cross was unveiled by Mr Coates, who was the first man from Weir to volunteer to fight in the Great War.

"It is one of a number of monuments across the country to share £100,000."

Dr Pedro Gaspar, conservation officer of the War Memorials Trust, said: "With so many monuments across the country in need of care and protection we are grateful to English Heritage for their support in preserving the Weir war memorial and its heritage."