Memorial is unveiled

Kidderminster's war memorial was unveiled at a moving ceremony today following its painstaking restoration.

More than 100 people, including ex-servicemen, civic dignitaries, worshippers and shoppers attended the event at St Mary's Church.

Today marked the end of more than five years of campaigning to get the memorial, called the Winged Angel of Peace, restored in honour of those who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

And the names of an extra 17 men from the town, previously lost to history, have been added for the first time after they were discovered by historian Don Gilbert.As part of the work, stone masons have re-engraved the 820 names - along with the additional names.

The church bells rang out throughout the town before the Bishop Suffragan of Dudley, the Right Reverend Dr David Walker, officiated at the service.

He told the crowd: "Places like this help us to remember that war is not about politics and technology but human lives and the cost of war.

"This memorial is a tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice to allow us to be free."

Mayor of Kidderminster Councillor Michael Shelley also addressed the crowd.

Members of the Kidderminster War Memorial Trust campaigned for the panels to be restored for five years after they became worn and weather-beaten.

Fundraising for the work was completed earlier this year and stone experts from Midlands Masons called in. Work started in August.

By Lee Watton