The Cross at Lenham has held a special place in the hearts of residents ever since it was first cut into the chalk downs in 1921 as a memorial to the fallen of the Great War.

Yet until this point, it has never had any official recognition.

Parish councillor Mike Cockett realised the oversight when the village prepared its Neighbourhood Plan in 2014 and has been working to rectify it ever since.

Now his campaign has been vindicated with Historic England registering the cross as a National Monument and War Memorial.

Mr Cockett said: “The Cross is always one of the first places we show visitors, so it was a shock to find it was totally unregistered and virtually unknown outside of Lenham.”

Mr Cockett sent Historic England pictures of the cross, testimony from villagers and a copy of the book Lenham and the Great War by local historian Amy Myers, to convince the organisation of its importance.

The monument, measuring 61m by 21m, was supported by a memorial stone surrounded by iron railings at the base, recording the names of the 42 Lenham villagers who died in the First World War.

A second stone, with the names of the 14 killed in the Second World War was added later, but in 1960 both were moved to the north entrance of St Mary’s Church to make it easier for infirm mourners to visit them.

During the Second World War, the cross was covered over to prevent it being a marker for enemy aircraft.

It 1983, it underwent a major renovation with 40 tonnes of chalk added.

Historic England’s citation states: “The memorial is rather unusual when compared with other war memorials as it was carved by hand directly into the chalk of the North Downs as a hill-figure cross and prominent landmark by Mr Freddie Baldock, with help from local volunteers.

“The memorial was designed by the village school headmaster Mr C.H. Groom.

“It is an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on this local community.”

It has been listed grade II.

Mr Cockett said: “I am obviously delighted.”

The Bearsted War Memorial is faring less well. A crack has appeared in the stone cross at the top of the memorial in the grounds of Holy Cross Church and it has been boarded up for safety reasons.