LUDLOW is preparing the mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War.

The town and surrounding area lost many young men during the First World War between 1914 and 1918.

But who they all were and details about their loves, lives and deaths remain unknown in many cases.

This is just one aspect that the people who will lead the town's commemoration's are trying to find out about.

Jim Smithers, the mayor of Ludlow, is one of the people researching the impact of the war on the local area.

His work has also led him to believe that not all of the relevant men are listed on the existing memorial.

Not all of the men fought in the war would have signed on in Ludlow but many would have joined the colours in the surrounding market towns.

While the local regiment would have been the King's Shropshire Light Infantry many men would have fought with other local regiments such as The South Wales Border Regiment of Gloucestershire Regiment.

But Councillor Smithers says that it is not as simple as that.

"After 1915 many people would simply have been directed to other regiments where there were gaps to be filled," said Coun Smithers.

Two groups are currently working on the local history around the First World War and this will lead to a programme of events over the next four years.

They would like to hear from people who have letters, photographs of any other memorabilia.