A PROJECT to transform a patch of weed-infested land into a garden First World War memorial has been given a funding boost.

Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall has set out plans to transform a patch of land at the back of the site into a memorial in tribute to soldiers from the two villages.

The project is expected to cost a hefty £25,000 but has been given a much-needed funding boost after public votes landed it £2,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.

Martyn Davey, the Hall chairman, said: “The award is a terrific boost to our fundraising efforts and we are very grateful to Tesco for their generosity and to everyone who voted for the project using their blue tokens.

“We are now two thirds of the way towards achieving our target of £24,000 for this important project and expect to be able to start the work in the spring.

“The Hall is a War Memorial and the Centenary Memorial Garden we intend to create will commemorate the lives of those men and women from Great Alne & Kinwarton who served and fell during the Great War.

“We believe it will be a fitting and lasting tribute to them 100 years after the ending of that appalling conflict that killed and injured so many people.”

The project will help mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.