A VILLAGE is bidding for cash to provide its first war memorial.

The names of 48 soldiers who fell during the First and Second World Wars are remembered on a stone in Birdsedge Methodist Chapel.

But the village has no war memorial where poppies and wreathes can be laid on Remembrance Day in November.

A working party has been formed to design and pay for the project.

It is hoped a memorial will be in place in a small garden area off Huddersfield Road in time for this year's commemorations.

Kirklees councillor Sheila Hey said the village held its first memorial service last year, to mark the area's fallen warriors.

"But we have nowhere to lay wreaths or place poppy crosses," she said.

Local people are being asked to have their say about the design of the memorial.

Designers from Kirklees Council have been called in to help.

The village's working group is seeking cash from the Friends of the War Memorial Trust.

Shepley quarry Marshall's has given a slab of stone which is to be carved into an open book which will form the memorial. Words will be etched on by a local tradesman.

Anyone wanting to give their views about the memorial can phone Clr Hey on 01924 840124 or lay pastor Tom Wood at the chapel.