By Hayley Robinson

A new war memorial won't be installed in Milton Regis in time for this year's Remembrance Sunday Service.

The Milton Regis War Memorial Committee had hoped the hexagonal base of the new Portland stone sculpture would be ready to replace the original 1919 structure at Holy Trinity Church, in Green Porch Close, so the community can pay their respects next Sunday.

But due to a fire in his workshop artist Elliott Brotherton has been unable to finish the sculpture on time.

Committee member and ward councillor Adam Tolhurst said: "We found out just before the school half term break.

"It will go ahead, it's just unfortunate with the timing. It's frustrating for everyone who want it to be there. We are very confident it will go forward and the war memorial will be in place for next year's Remembrance Day."

In the meantime, a temporary structure will be in place for this year's service.

Cllr Tolhurst said: "We hope to have something at the church. Committee member Catherine Herbert is looking into a temporary structure being created. I want to stress that no money is coming from the funds raised for the war memorial to pay for this.

"We have also asked pupils at Regis Community Primary School and Kemsley Primary School, which is in federation with Milton Court Primary School, to produce pictures.

"People will still be able to lay their wreaths up against the old concrete base."

The cost of the new war memorial (pictured) which features a hexagonal base with a monolith and a cross, is £35,000 but the committee still has a further £15,000 to raise.

The committee is also looking for a builder to remove a number of memorial plaques free of charge so they can be cleaned and installed on the plinth of the new memorial.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or who can help with the removal of the plaques should call Cllr Tolhurst on 01795 475888.