TWO war memorials are to be restored with nearly �5,000 of funding between them. English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation announced this week that the memorials in Radlett and Harpenden have been awarded a share of �50,000 along with just 10 other site

TWO war memorials are to be restored with nearly �5,000 of funding between them.

English Heritage and the Wolfson Foundation announced this week that the memorials in Radlett and Harpenden have been awarded a share of �50,000 along with just 10 other sites around the country.

The grants have been made under a scheme which is run jointly with the War Memorials Trust to ensure that vulnerable memorials continue to honour those who have died in conflict.

Aldenham Parish Council will get �3,580 to clean the Radlett High Street memorial and repair defective pointing. Council chairman Ron Worthy said it was "excellent news."

Harpenden Town Council will be given �1,410 to clean and re-point the war memorial there, and to restore its bronze plaque.

Town Mayor, Cllr Pat Kent, said: "We are delighted to have this money granted to us. It will come in very useful and means we can get the memorial cleaned up. The names on a war memorial are of people who gave their lives so we can be here today. Without them where would we be?"

Francis Moreton, trust manager of the War Memorials Trust, said: "War memorials represent the historic touchstones, direct links to the past and a way for everyone to understand the sacrifices made by so many during conflicts across the globe. It is vital these memorials are preserved both as a way of remembering the fallen and as a means to educate future generations."

Ian Leith, chair of the War Memorials Panel at English Heritage, said: "Many memorials are not listed or protected in any way and thus need the community's special vigilance and the support of the War Memorials Trust. Local involvement is also important as most information about war memorials only exists at a local level."

Paul Ramsbottom, executive secretary of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "These memorials are a silent and beautiful witness to lives tragically lost in conflict. It is of great importance that they are maintained in excellent condition, and the Wolfson Foundation is pleased to be funding this programme of conservation work alongside English Heritage and War Memorials Trust.