A MEMORIAL to a market town's war dead may become a reality with the official launch of a dedicated committee tonight.

The Chester-le-Street War Memorial Association is holding a public meeting and wants people to attend and share their views.

Members want to see a new monument to honour the men from the town who gave their lives for their country.

Association chairman Clive Bowery said: "Most other towns have got a public manifestation for the people who fell during service.

"It is a happy coincidence that we are starting out so soon after the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

"We hope that it will have brought the issue to the front and be something that is fresh in people's minds."

Chester-le-Street did have a mausoleum, which was built in 1925 to honour the men who fell during the First World War, but it was demolished in 1962 by the local authority.

It was replaced with a 3ft polished granite obelisk, off the town's Church Chare, but it has proved unpopular with people in the town.

Chester-le-Street District Council has drawn up plans to transform the town centre with a focal point or "civic heart" near the market place.

Mr Bowery said now was a perfect opportunity to start discussing what kind of memorial should be built and where would be the best location.

The idea is to honour men from the town and the surrounding villages who have died in all conflicts.

Mr Bowery said he wanted people to get in touch or attend the meeting.

He said: "We are not going to steamroller this through with our own ideas.

"It is a memorial for the district and we want to know people's views are so they can be incorporated.

"We want people to come forward with the name of people who have fallen in all of the wars we have been involved in."

Mr Bowery is also looking for funding for the project from councils, businesses, individuals and community groups. So far, a sum of £120 has been raised.

The meeting will be held at 8pm in The Green Bank Club, Chester-le-Street.