A memorial garden for servicemen shot for desertion or cowardice during the First World War was opened today.

The moving memorial is located at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, near Lichfield, Staffs.

At the centre of the garden is a 10ft-high statue of a teenage soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake.

The creation was modelled on Private Herbert Burden, of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

The young soldier lied about his age to join up and was just 17 when he was shot for desertion.

The garden also features a semi-circle of stakes recording the names of the 306 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth executed for desertion or cowardice.

Updated: 16.35 Thursday, June 21