A MEMORIAL to the First World War which was hidden in storage for three years is to be displayed at a North-East museum.

It was first unveiled at Washington Colliery Welfare Hall and Institute, in Washington, Wearside, in 1921.

Carved in oak and given pride of place in the entrance corridor, it remained there until 2012 when the hall, by then a nightclub, closed and it was moved into storage.

The site is now being turned into accommodation for the over 55s in an £8.7m regeneration project.

Galliford Try, one of the developers involved, has donated £1,000 to bring the memorial out of storage and display it at the town’s F Pit Museum.

The memorial will be steam cleaned, repaired and have its marble base reassembled, work which it is hoped will be finished by April.

Keith Wright, from Galliford Try Partnerships North, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the project and to have been able to contribute to what is a very worthwhile cause.

“As we construct new properties that will begin a new chapter for this area of Washington, it is important that the rich and varied history of the site be remembered.”

There will be 79 apartments for people aged 55 and over with care or housing needs.