Two memorial benches have been installed in Dartford’s Central Park as a tribute to those who lost their lives in war.

The benches were unveiled yesterday (Wednesday) after an appeal by council leader Jeremy Kite and Mayor of Dartford Cllr Avtar Sandhu.

The council said it received hundreds of pledges in support of the benches as part of an online petition to secure 1,914 signatures in respect for the Armed Forces.

Scroll down for video

Cllr Kite said: “We have commissioned these benches to show we will never forget the sacrifice made by so many, and also to demonstrate the huge commitment of Dartford people to honour those serving today.

“They will be a fine addition to the memorial gardens in Central Park and I thank the hundreds of people who took the time to pledge support.

Memorial bench unveiling at Dartford's Central Park, report by Ben Kennedy

“We will present the names of all those who have pledged support to Dartford Museum so that future generations will be able to research how the new benches came about and how many people wanted them.”

See next week’s Messenger for the full report.