Work to repair the botched restoration of Ledbury War Memorial is finally underway.

The High Street monument was restored in 2020 following a £30,000 donation from former Lancaster bomber Stuart Heaton.

But cracks started appearing and green mould became visible around the base of the memorial after just a few months.

A legal dispute between Ledbury Town Council and one contractor is still ongoing, and the council has been criticised by an auditor for its handling of the project.

The second refurbishment of the memorial has taken a long time to get to this stage.

Ledbury Town Council had hoped to start the work in summer 2022 but it has been hit by a series of delays.

The council said it was “pleased to inform residents” that the work to refurbish the War Memorial started on Tuesday (July 11).

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“It is anticipated that the works will be completed by mid/late September, weather permitting, but they will definitely be completed in time for this year’s annual Service of Remembrance in November,” a spokesperson said.

“The contractor, Ian Bishop, has advised that he does not anticipate the pavement being closed off to pedestrians whilst the works are being carried out, and he is working with the Alms Houses contractors to ensure that access will be available for residents and visitors.

“The works will be subject to regular inspections which will be carried out by [structural engeinners] O’Brien Price and [architects] Caroe & Partners will also be working closely with both Ian Bishop and O’Brien Price throughout the project.”

Erected by public subscription in 1920, the Ledbury War Memorial bears the names of 82 men of the town who fell in the First World War, and a further 43 lost in the Second.

The original repair work, commissioned to mark its centenary, caused upset among residents, with one group of protestors making their feelings known outside the contractor’s workshop.