CEREMONIES held in memory of the Accrington Pals will be smarter than ever after fundraisers purchased a £1,000 new standard flag.

The flag, which will be used to lead processions at important events such as Remembrance Sunday, will also be displayed in Accrington Town Hall for all Hyndburn residents to see when not in use. Accrington British Legion members formed fundraising group the Accrington Volunteers to both honour the Pals and raise money for charities.

For the past three years they have focused on raising cash for the bespoke flag after realising the original, which dates from before the First World War, was in too poor a condition to be used for formal ceremonies. And in addition to the volunteers’ efforts in purchasing the new standard, area councillors have also been able to complete a £2,600 revamp of the Pals Memorial, which has seen steps created to the stone plaque behind St James’ Church and an additional plinth for memorial wreaths and flowers.

The new standard flag will be blessed at a special church service, where it will be used in a procession carried out by the Accrington Volunteers, before it is specially encased in a town hall cabinet,