A FITTING tribute to the Accrington Pals is to be unveiled this weekend in a grand civic ceremony.

The Pals, who fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, have never had a permanent memorial in the town that shares their name.

But tomorrow, in an event to be attended by civil and military leaders, a memorial stone will be officially unveiled at St James' Church, Accrington. And future Remembrance Day ceremonies might also be held by the memorial.

The stone will honour not just the fallen Pals, but also the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, who were granted the Freedom of the Borough in 2002.

After almost 100 years, the Pals will be welcomed home to Accrington, during the celebrations marking Hyndburn's 30th anniversary.

Plans are also still in the pipeline to properly develop the area around the stone, re-paving it, and installing a new garden.