A CAMPAIGN for a dedicated war memorial in Watchet has been given a helping hand to trace the stories behind the casualties it will commemorate.

A group of volunteers has so far raised £15,000 towards the memorial, which will be sited close to the town's library on The Esplanade.

But as well as working towards the goal of being able to unveil the structure in time for the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One next year, the group has also been trying to build up a picture of Watchet's fallen heroes.

And plans to hold living history sessions to record the stories, memories and photographs of those who died and their families have been given a boost by Watchet's Tavern Amateur Boxing Club.

Ian Human and Russell Harper from the club, which is based at the West Somerset Hotel, offered to design and pay for the printing of special banners which will be used to advertise the dates and venues of the information gathering sessions.

And the finished banners were given their first airing this week.

Memorial project spokesman Anne Cleveland said the group could not express its gratitude sufficiently as the funding came from all sectors of Watchet's community.

She said support for the project overall had come from local residents of all ages, from national donations and was also the result of a lot of hard work by the volunteer members of the group.

But the legacy and archive element had been funded from a grant by West Somerset's ARTlife.

Group member Sara Summers has taken on the role of researcher and has connected all 56 names that will appear on the roll of honour to families who lived in Watchet.

She has contacted several living relatives but the search for more continues, with the living history sessions expected to uncover more links.

The memories will be recorded on DVD and in a book which will archive the family histories and that will be available to local schools, libraries, museums and other outlets.

"We hope these recorded memories will provide a source of funding for the future maintenance of the memorial and remembrance garden," said Mrs Cleveland.

Grant funding - from the Local Action for Rural Communities pot - will help pay for the site of the memorial to be refurbished and for disability access to be improved.

The scheme will also include the creation of planters filled with sensory flowers and herbs - with advice from Watchet Gardening Club - and the installation of information boards.

The new banners will be on display for the first living history event on April 6 from 10am onwards at the Phoenix Centre.

Photo: Steve Guscott