A MEMORIAL to local men who lost their lives in conflict is being unveiled next week.

A stone dedicated to the fallen heroes of Moreton has been created as part of the parish's events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.

The Portland stone monument is being situated adjacent to the RAF graves at Moreton's Top Cemetery and has been donated by Jeremy Dyer of Stanley's Quarry and prepared by monumental mason Des Martin of DJM Stonemasonry. It has been finished with a brass etched plaque produced by Cotswold engraver Andy Everson.

The piece has been designed by Moreton resident Adam Wood who said: "I hope the new stone will be a fitting memorial commemorating the fallen in this centennial year and a place that relatives of the fallen could come to give thanks for the great sacrifice that all these men made for their country."

It is being unveiled on Tuesday March 10 which is one hundred years to the day Private 9451 Charles W Driver of the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was killed in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915. He was the first man from Moreton to be killed in the Great War.

On the same day the first of 60 British Legion memorial crosses will be planted at the site of the new memorial to commemorate the lives of the men who lost died. One will be planted on each day a man fell throughout 2015.

Family members and members of the public are invited to attend the unveiling and anyone wishing to do so should contact Kit Havelock-Davies by telephoning 01608 650727 or email wold.galleries@virgin.net. After the unveiling coffee and tea will be served at the function room of Wrights Funeral Directors, Moreton.