A LONG running scheme to honour fallen servicemen and women from West Auckland came to fruition on Sunday.

Villagers turned out in droves to see the West Auckland Pant Memorial Garden officially opened by members of West Auckland Parish Council.

An area of land on the village green has been redeveloped and resurfaced around the 166-year-old disused water fountain, known as a pant.

The garden includes two sandstone benches, shrubs, and a memorial stone, bearing 108 names of servicemen and women who died during conflicts since the First World War.

The parish council worked with the Memorial Hall, St Helen’s Church in St Helen Auckland, and launched an appeal among villagers to ensure no names were left out.

The stone, which measures 80cm high and two metres wide, also includes a wreath rail for floral tributes.

The £37,000 project was funded by Section 106 money, and Durham County Council Council’s Urban Rural Renaissance Initiative.

It was designed and implemented by Groundwork West Durham and Darlington.

Hazel Charlton, chairwoman of West Auckland Parish Council, expressed the authority’s gratitude to Groundwork for its help in the venture, which has taken over five years to develop.

"It was wonderful to see so many people from the village turn up to support Sunday’s event," said Mrs Charlton.

"It was quite apt that the garden’s opening coincided with the 65th D Day anniversary.

"A public memorial to the war dead from the village is long overdue.

"We hope that the area will be treated with respect, both now and in the future."

She praised project officer Joanne Morley for her involvement with the scheme, and added: "If it hadn’t been for the parish council instigating this scheme, the whole thing would never have come off."

Councillors hope to install lighting at the area in the near future.

Visitors to Sunday’s event received a commemorative booklet, which was researched by Neville Davison and John Milburn, and co-ordinated by parish councillor Martin Roberts.