A TREDEGAR war memorial will undergo £25,000 worth of renovation work in time for this year's Armistice Day.

Plans to clean and reset the stonework at the listed war memorial in Bedwellty Park are now under way.

Tredegar Town Council applied for grant funding from CADW and the War Memorials Trust for the work which is expected to cost around £25,000.

This is expected to start in September with stonemasons Mossford's of Cardiff carrying out most of the restoration work in-situ and the gold lettering work completed off site.

The memorial is made from Forest of Dean stone and will have a black granite plaque with gilded inscriptions.

The war memorial, which remembers 300 local men, was first unveiled in December 1924 by Lord Tredegar and was re-dedicated after the Second World War.

The memorial is one of two designed by London sculptor Newbury Abbot Trent and unlike many other war memorials has a rifle pointing upwards.

Tredegar Town councillor Malcolm Cross, who also represents the Sirhowy ward for Blaenau Gwent council, said: "Tredegar Town Council has endeavoured to keep the memorial in good condition but as the structure is listed we have to comply with regulations that many other war memorials do not.

"The concern shown by many people for this important part of the town’s heritage is deeply appreciated and we hope that it will soon be returned to its former glory."

Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member Alun Davies added: "It is important that those who gave their lives continue to be remembered with a fitting tribute.

"The memorial stands here all year round for anyone to pay their respects and honour the men and women who not only served their country then and in subsequent wars but also those who continue to risk their lives in times of conflict and in peacekeeping roles."

Tredegar Town Council will be supporting Armed Forces Day with a free event at Bedwellty House and Park on June 24 starting at 11am.