The Tonbridge Memorial Gardens will be refurbished in time for the 100th anniversary commemorations of the outbreak of the First World War next year.

The trustees of the gardens were concerned that despite some generous donations totalling £153,000 so far, the refurbishment project was facing a £100,000 shortfall.

But now Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has announced that it will make up the shortfall from its capital budget if necessary. The offer has been made on the basis that fund-raising continues in an effort to rebate the cash to the borough.

The decision to underwrite the project has enabled the trustees to begin work on the project, which will include making the gardens in Bradford Street more disabled friendly.

The trust’s vice chairman Rachel Oakley said: "With the continuing conflicts in Iraq and now Afghanistan, more and more people are realising the importance of our service personnel. Attendance at the Remembrance Sunday services is growing every year.

"But the gardens are now 60 years old and need updating."

The trust has launched a website, which gives further information on the project and details on how to make online donations, visit www.tonbridgememorialgardenstrust.net