MIRFIELD'S Remembrance Day parades have been given a lifeline.

For the town council has agreed to pay for them.

The parades have been run every year by the Royal British Legion, as part of events to mark Remembrance Day - November 11.

But changes to rules mean the Legion cannot now pay for civic events.

Instead, all money has to be spent on providing more help for ex-Service people and their families.

Clr Cath Jones said: "I was shocked at this information, as I believe we have a debt of honour to those Mirfield residents who have paid the ultimate price so we can enjoy our freedom."

Councillors learned of the situation at the council's finance and general purposes committee.

The discussion was prompted by a request from the Legion for £600, to provide two bands and a sound system for this year's Remembrance Day celebrations.

The council committee also heard of vandalism that had taken place at Ings Grove Park war memorial recently.

Name plaques have been damaged, screws removed and walls have been broken and sprayed with graffiti.

Clr Jones said: "I find it hard to understand the mentality of anyone who can stoop so low as the desecrate a memorial that remembers people who bravely fought and lost their lives."

The committee has asked Kirklees Council - which is responsibly for the memorial - to clean it up.

The committee is also looking into how to protect the memorial.