THE war memorial in Amesbury is set to get a revamp after the town council gave permission for it to be restored to its former glory.

The memorial, dedicated in 1920, honours 32 Amesbury residents who lost their lives in the First World War and 31 who died in the Second World War.

The Amesbury Society has been looking into repairing the memorial, which was removed from its central location in the town in 1964 when the relief road was constructed.

When it was re-erected in St Mary and St Melor churchyard four years later, the central shaft that holds the cross was 6ft shorter than it was originally, and its condition has worsened since then.

Secretary Bill Dunn said the society is thrilled to get approval from the council and will now push on with obtaining funding and getting the work done.

“It has been the Amesbury Society's ambition for some time to get the memorial at least restored to its original and elegant design, and the decision by the town council means this can now happen even in these austere times,” he said.

“It must be remembered that the reason for such memorials being in existence is to honour those people who died on our behalf.”

A booklet on the history of the war memorial and the people named on it is available at the town’s library for £2.50.