A CRUMBLING war memorial which has stood for nearly 100 years may have found salvation in a local community group.

Millom cenotaph faces being cordoned off to the public unless enough money can be raised to repair its deteriorating stonework.

In order to raise the estimated £28,000 needed for repairs a band of volunteers has stepped forward to save the cenotaph.

The Friends of Millom's War Memorials group is relishing the challenge to see the cenotaph restored to its former glory before the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, in November 2018.

Chairman and town councillor Ged McGrath is confident the residents of Millom will rally to their cause, and help fund the repairs.

He said: "We think the town will get behind us just as they did with the clock tower. It is very important to the town, it deserves to be looked after."

Over the past three to four years, a series of harsh winters have taken their toll on the cenotaph. Large cracks have formed in the paving surrounding the cenotaph due to ice forming inside. The steps leading up to the column have also started to degrade - a hazard which can no longer be overlooked.

Joan Hobbs, former mayor of Millom and the group's treasurer said: "We can't touch the column but we can repair the steps and paths around it. The quote that we got from doing like-for-like came to £28,000."

The group already has more than £4,000 from earlier collections, and are confident this will show potential investors their group means business.

An application has been sent off to the War Memorials Trust, who after reviewing it will decide on if the group is eligible for financial support.

Mrs Hobbs is worried if the memorial remains as it is, it will no longer be suitable for services on remembrance day.

She said: "It's becoming a safety hazard, on Remembrance Sunday the people who take part are getting older, and it's so unsafe now."

If the area becomes to dangerous, the marshal who oversees the proceedings would be forced to declare the site unsuitable, something the group is desperate to avoid.

They have called for any local businesses who could help restore the monument to come forward. Whether they are stone masons, concrete experts or can provide safety fencing, any contribution would be warmly accepted.

Group member Joan Kellett said: "Millom people are very generous. We're hoping they will be as generous as they were towards (the restoration of) St George's Church."

Anyone wishing to get involved with the group should contact Mrs Hobbs on 01229774420.