COMMUNITY campaigners are battling to honour their war dead by restoring the figure of a soldier to a village monument.

Supporters of the Save Our Soldier appeal in Coundon and Leeholme need to raise thousands of pounds to rebuild the life-size concrete model of a First World War infantryman which originally graced their memorial.

Hundreds of residents turned out to watch the figure unveiled on September 24, 1921, but the group does not know why it was removed some years later.

It stood outside a Bishop Auckland stonemason's for some time until it was retrieved from an outbuilding by campaign chairman Derek Brownbridge, who now keeps it propped against his garage wall.

Now with its right arm and both its lower legs missing, the model cannot be restored and a completely new figure will have to be made.

Mr Brownbridge, of Collingwood Street, Coundon, said: "The metal frame is rusting and is cracking the concrete. We want to keep the same figure and have three options - a carved stone model, or to have it cast in concrete or in bronze.

"We have quotes of up to £35,000 so we have a lot of money to find."

The group is applying for grants through the War Memorials Trust and is hoping to enlist residents' support.

As well as cash, they are appealing for information about the memorial which stands on the corner of Collingwood Street and Wharton Street.

Mr Brownbridge said: "There is a lot we don't know. We don't know which regiment the soldier represented or why or when it was taken down. It would be nice to see him back up."

Anyone with information can contact Mr Brownbridge on (01388) 605211.