A MEMORIAL statue has been erected in a proud North-East regiment’s home city ahead of an official unveiling ceremony later this month (Sunday, September 14).

The Durham Light Infantry (DLI) memorial, a larger-than-life bronze of a DLI bugler sounding the ceasefire in Korea in 1953, has been installed in the Market Place, Durham City.

The £75,000 memorial was paid for by donations and mirrors one unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in 2012.

It will be dedicated on Sunday, September 14, during a weekend of events to commemorate the First World War.

On the Sunday, there will be a parade and review at 10am followed by a dedication service led by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, at 10.30am.

Special guests will include General Sir Peter de la Billiere, former director of the SAS and commander-in-chief of the British forces during the 1990 Gulf War, and Lieutenant General Tim Evans, commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Members of the public are advised to arrive by 9.45am.

The Durham Army Cadet Force Band will perform on Palace Green at 11.10am and a First World War commemoration service at Durham Cathedral will begin at noon.

The service will be relayed live to a marquee on Palace Green.

The previous day will also see themed events in the Palace Green marquee, including broadcaster Kate Adie talking about the legacy of women in the First World War at 2pm.

Enter CIC Youth Theatre Group will perform Home Fires, an original musical commemorating the war, at 3pm.

Visitors can have their memorabilia and collectibles valued by Anderson and Garland auctioneers between 10.30am and 2.30pm and Pittington Brass Band will perform from 11.30am.

The marquee will be open from 10.30am to 5pm on the Saturday and from 9am to 3pm on the Sunday.

For further details, visit dlidurham.org.uk