MORE than 70 wooden crosses were planted at a war memorial in honour of a village’s fallen heroes.

The white crosses, which feature the names and regiments of 72 soliders who died in the two world wars, were put in place at the Sabden War Memorial yesterday to mark the beginning of the Remembrance fortnight.

More than 30 people — war veterans, councillors and members of the public — attended the ceremony at the village’s rose garden at the junction of Whalley, Padiham and Clitheroe Roads.

It was the first time individual soldiers from the village have been commemorated with crosses since the memorial was unveiled earlier this year.

Anthony Haworth, chairman of the Sabden War Memorial Trust, which campaigned for the 9ft Celtic cross, costing about £17,000, said: “It is all about showing respect for the soldiers who died in the wars.

“We got the memorial and we weren’t sure what to do next, but then the British Legion, which gave us the crosses, suggested putting them in at the garden.”

The crosses were installed by Coun John Hill, Mayor of the Ribble Valley, who said he had a “great connection” with the memorial. He added: “Earlier this year I came to the war memorial and was proud and privileged to be invited back.

“I have family that served and died in the wars, so the memorial is something I am always proud to be associated with.

“My father was a pilot in World War Two and thankfully he came back, but I had a number of uncles who died in World War One.”

Village fundraising, along with £5,500 from Ribble Valley Council’s community enhancement scheme, £1,500 from the Forest of Bowland Sustainable Bowland Projects and £2,000 from Padiham Life, helped to pay for the memorial.