A COMMUNITY’S dream to reinstate a soldier statue on their war memorial is moving a step closer with the launch of a fundraising campaign.

Artist Ray Lonsdale, who created the iconic 1101 sculpture in Seaham known as Tommy, has designed a moving statue for the First World War memorial at Tursdale, County Durham.

The original vanished in the 1970s after it was removed for repairs - having apparently being decapitated by drunken roadworkers a decade earlier - and West Cornforth Parish Council has been spurred on by the war centenary to replace it.

It hopes the £20,000 statue called Not Much to Ask, which depicts a frontline soldier longing for home, is installed by the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War in 2018.

Inspired by how the public funded Seaham Tommy and the impact it has had, local historian Andy Denholm launched a community fundraising campaign.

Mr Denholm, himself an Army veteran, has spent 20 years researching the fallen from West Cornforth and surrounding villages and is passionate about restoring the memorial to the 41 men from the area who all worked at Tursdale Colliery.

“I used to hope to find the original, the aim was to track it down and ultimately have it back in place.

“But that isn’t going to happen and Ray has come up with a really fitting alternative, he has incredible artistic skills and people come from all over to see Tommy at Seaham, he makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

“It is now about having a proper memorial to remember those 41 soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Around £10,000 is needed to commission the piece and the parish council will seek grants but Mr Denholm hopes the public can get the funding ball rolling.

He said: “Those soldiers came from West Cornforth, Tursdale, Coxhoe, Metal Bridge, East Howle, Ferryhill, Hett and Bowburn so people in those communities and maybe further afield will want to contribute.

“I think this is a chance to contribute, whatever amount, to creating something special which will hopefully be here in another 100 years still remembering those soldiers."

Parish clerk Ray Sunman hopes it will demonstrate the community’s desire to reinstate a poignant tribute to the men from the colliery lost at war.

“I’ll continue to make applications to major organisations but it is right that any appeal comes from the community.

“Hopefully it will strengthen the council’s funding applications, a demonstrable village and maybe more widespread appeal will show the desire and ultimately help us make it happen.”

Charity The Cornforth Partnership, based at 66 High Street, West Cornforth, has agreed to collect donations and can be contacted on 01740-652000.

For information on the appeal call Mr Denholm on 07753-774494.