A plan to add the names of 1,800 war dead to Hartlepool's War Memorial has been given the go-ahead.

Earlier this year, Hartlepool Borough Council agreed to fund the bulk of the £120,000 project, which will see the creation of four free-standing columns with bronze plaques containing the names.

Ex-service organisations in the town have raised about £13,000 while Army veteran Eddie Bell has spent years compiling the list.

The memorial is a listed building, so the authority had to apply for special consent, but the Government has decided that listed building consent is not needed, so work can go ahead.

It is hoped that work to add the names can start next February and a re-dedication ceremony is scheduled for June 16, next year.

John Coward, chairman of the council's regeneration board said: "This is good news and leaves us sufficient time to add the additional 1,800 names by next spring.

"Many people in Hartlepool have waited a long time for this. It is right and proper for all of the town's war dead to be remembered on the war memorial."

At present, it only bears the names of war casualties up until the end of the First World War.

Mr Bell said: "This project means so much to all the families who have been asking for this for many years.

"Now that we know listed building consent is not necessary, everyone can get on with the project and look forward to Saturday, June 16, next year, which is going to be one of the most poignant occasions in the town's history."