NELSON is to get a revamped war memorial - and councillors want to invite the Queen to come and unveil it.

Councillors have not decided on a new location, but it is likely to stay in front of the library in Market Street, but in a more prominent position.

The existing memorial will be incorporated into a tribute that includes an arched wall with the names of the 1,141 servicemen who died in wars, ranging from the Boer War to the Northern Ireland conflict. It should be ready by October 2008.

At a meeting this week Nelson committee councillors gave their support to the plans.

Speaking at the council meeting Coun George Adam said they were to invite the Queen to open it.

He said: "It would be a big occasion for the town to have royalty here.

"It is only going to cost £10,000 to build, relatively little compared to money we are going to put into other projects.

"It would really promote Nelson. We really need to have a big event and quickly."

Coun David Foster, committee chairman, said: "We have been behind the plans for the war memorial from the start but we have had to get back up.

"£10,000 will be given to go towards the memorial, I think this could help the town centre be improved very quickly."

Coun Mohammed Iqbal said: "We need to give our support in black and white to the memorial.

"We need to show that we are committed to the project and that by hook or by crook it will be built.

"We have a budget of millions and it would be embarrassing if we could not commit to a few thousand pounds for the memorial and a celebration."