Call for the return of war memorial

The large monument that once stood on the edge of the town's market place was dismantled in the 1950s by Chester-le-Street Urban District Council and replaced with a 3ft polished granite obelisk off Church Chare.

According to several residents, the move was an unpopular one. Now with the regeneration of Chester-le-Street town centre on the horizon, calls for the memorial to be put back are gathering strength.

Secretary of the Chester-le-Street branch of Durham Light Infantry Association, Brian Hardman, of Birtley, said: "The original memorial was a magnificent structure and when it was moved it caused a lot of controversy. The memorial now languishes in the north side of the churchyard.

"The saddest part is that it only lists the names of those who fell in the Great War, and none since."

Retired Territorial Army Major Donald McDonald, of Brancepeth, remembers the original memorial from when he trained at Chester-le-Street drill hall. He said wreath-laying ceremonies in the town take place in front of panels from the original monument, which have been placed in the churchyard of St Mary and St Cuthbert's Parish Church. The panels contain the names of the soldiers who died.

He said: "As a substitute memorial, a black, granite obelisk of a nondescript shape and size was put in front of the church. It's only about 3ft high and it just has some vague inscription - it doesn't recognise anybody.

"There was a furore at the time and those who still attend ceremonies there and the British Legion, continue to lay their wreaths in front of the plaques in the churchyard."

Plans are being drawn up by Chester-le-Street District Council to transform the centre of the town, which includes the creation of a new focal point or 'civic heart' for the town near the market place.

A spokesman for the council said: "We will of course consider all the proposals and suggestions once the consultation process is in full swing."