A PROJECT to give a war memorial a more prominent setting in a city suburb is nearing completion.

Relocation of the memorial in Belmont, on the outskirts of Durham, is aimed at ensuring local men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country in conflict are not forgotten.

The statue has been moved from St Mary Magdalene Church graveyard to a newly-created site nearby, on the High Street, in neighbouring Carrville.

It will be surrounded by a new paved area and a memorial garden.

The existing memorial includes a central monolith and two columns dedicated to those who died in the two world wars.

Two more columns are being added to honour those who died in later conflicts.

It successfully concludes a drive launched last year by the Friends of Belmont War Memorial to raise funds and arrange for it to be re-gilded and cleaned.

Friends’ chairman, Walter Meikle, said: "Whilst it much improved the appearance of the memorial, we and many members of the community commented that as time had passed, it had become overshadowed by trees in the graveyard.

"We felt that its hidden setting no longer did full justice to those it commemorated."

Backed by Belmont Parish Council, which bought the land for the new site, the project was boosted by a £27,000 donation from the County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT), plus contributions from local residents, Durham city and county councillors, Belmont Community Association and St Mary Magdalene Church.

Extra care was taken during the lifting of the monument as it was thought items associated with the men and women commemorated may have been buried under, or near the effigy.

A small cavity was included in the new design so any memorabilia could be safely transferred.

Although no items were found, small tokens in remembrance of a more recent war death were put in the cavity along with brief information about the relocation.

* The War Memorial Rededication Ceremony takes place at 10.40am on Sunday November 8, followed by the Act of Remembrance.

It follows the Remembrance Day Service at St Mary Magdalene Church, starting at 9.30am.