A COMMUNITY shocked by the desecration of its war memorial by vandals has mounted a restoration campaign.

Residents of Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, are determined to restore and renovate the cenotaph for Remembrance Day, and have launched a £7,500 appeal.

The campaign, led by trustees Tom Storey, Susan Garrett and Jeanette Reid, was launched after youths tore one of the marble plaques from the side of the memorial last August.

Trustee chairman Mr Storey said he was at the nearby bowling club when a gang of youths, aged from seven to ten, damaged the memorial.

He said: "I saw two of them running off. There were several altogether. We took their names and the police were involved. But I understand the culprits were too young to be prosecuted.

"We were really upset by it. These people died for the freedom that we enjoy today."

Mr Storey said after the attack a number of residents came forward and made donations.

He said: "We have collected £750 so far. It was really encouraging the way people rallied round and we would like to thank those who have helped."

The trustees will be applying to the War Memorials Trust for extra funding.

Mr Storey said research had shown 19 names had been missed off the memorial when it was unveiled on July 22, 1922, and these would be added.

He said: "If there is anyone who still has a relative missing from the memorial, we would urge them to get in touch."

The memorial was officially unveiled in 1922 by Sir Horace Plunkett and dedicated by the Bishop of Jarrow, Dr JN Quirk.

A souvenir programme noted that, at a meeting in October 1918, the community agreed the memorial should be houses for the widows.

The report from the meeting said: "This motion was withdrawn on it being explained that the owners of Pelton Colliery themselves intended to provide these houses and it was formally moved that it take the form of a cenotaph, swimming baths, bandstand and park to be erected in such part of the village as may hereafter be decided on."

It was decided in December 1920 that the memorial take the form of cenotaph, bandstand and park at cost of about £6,000.

Anyone who can help with donations can contact Mr Storey on 0191-388-8921 or Mrs Garrett on 0191-370-2958.