War veterans join battle to save memorial THE uncertain fate of the Waring and Gillow war memorial inscribed with hundreds of the town's war dead has prompted deep concern from members of the Royal British Legion. Last week the Citizen revealed how the showrooms on North Road which belong to supermarket giant ASDA, could stand empty for an indefinite period once the famous firm moves out next February. The news spurred members of the Royal British Legion into action. They have even offered to store the magnificent monument if it is to be removed from the Grade II listed showrooms.

Raymond Hirst, president of the Lancaster branch of the Royal British Legion, told the Citizen: "We are very concerned about what will happen to the staircase. If it was to be removed we would offer to store it. Above all I'm sure many families would be very upset if it was lost or destroyed and that's why we need to keep an eye on it."

Local historian Norman Gardner, the man behind the design of the Second World War memorial at St Joseph's Church in Skerton, said the memorial was an important piece of historical evidence for Lancaster.

He told the Citizen: "We don't know what's going to happen to the staircase. If a new company took over the building they might not want the staircase. It's very theatrical and the whole piece is like something out of a church with a beautiful window and crucifix. It would be a catastrophe if it was destroyed."

Stephen Sartin, the keeper of the Judges' Lodgings in Lancaster, also expressed similar concern. He told the Citizen: "More people in Lancaster and Morecambe will be concerned about the fate of the war memorial than anything else."

Mark Jones, a spokesman for Maples, the owners of the Waring and Gillow furniture store, said: "We would be happy to see the memorial in safe hands."

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