A NEW memorial honouring the sacrifice made by Quarry Bank soldiers during the First World War is to be dedicated this weekend.

Quarry Bank Royal British Legion and the Friends of Quarry Bank Park teamed up to have the new memorial created to commemorate the 100th anniversary since the outbreak of WWI and the 147 Quarry Bank men who lost their lives.

Funded thanks to a £5,750 grant from Dudley Council, it has been in place in Stevens Par, off Thorns Road, for some months but will be officially dedicated at a ceremony this Saturday (July 18) at 11am.

Quarry Bank councillors, veterans, park campaigners, scouts, guides and brownies and members of the public have been invited to the service, which will include prayers and a wreath-laying ceremony and which will see the memorial dedicated by Rev David Hoskins from Christ Church, Quarry Bank, Father Cecil Rogerson from St Mary's Church, Brierley Hill, and Rev Mick Ganner - representing Quarry Bank's free churches.

Quarry Bank councillor Bryan Cotterill, who has organised the dedication ceremony, said: "The First World War was a terrible war, so it's about recognising the 100 year anniversary."

Eric Homer, secretary of Quarry Bank Royal British Legion, said: "The Friends thought it would be nice to have something that people can get access to as the existing memorial is all fenced off - for security reasons we keep it locked up. This one is easily accessible to people if they want to lay wreaths and crosses."