A TOWN has created a lasting tribute to a fallen son by adding his name to its war memorial.

The tight-knit community of Spennymoor, in County Durham, was heartbroken when local soldier Private Dean Hutchinson was killed in Afghanistan last year.

The 23-year-old, who served with the Royal Logistics Corps, died in a fire at Camp Bastion, on February 14, 2011.

After receiving a moving letter from Pte Hutchinson’s family, Spennymoor Town Council arranged to have his name carved onto the High Street cenotaph.

On Thursday, his mother, Elaine, sat by the monument as a stonemason spent two hours etching his name in place, before laying a rose at its base.

She said: “It was lovely – I just sat on the bench watching each letter of Dean’s name going on.

“Some people noticed and came to see if I was okay. The town has been so supportive.

“The cenotaph is open, somewhere to remember him publicly, for the whole town, forever.

“He was really well liked by so many people and it is nothing more than he deserves.”

Later that night, Mrs Hutchinson returned to the cenotaph with her husband, Paul, and Pte Hutchinson’s brother, Liam, visited with his girlfriend. Mr Hutchinson said: “I am really proud. We were anyway, but to see his name on there means so much.”

The cenotaph was already a special place for the family as it carries the name of Mrs Hutchinson’s uncle, Jack- John Heslington, the late brother of her aunt, Hilda, and mother Betty. He was only 20 when he died in the Second World War.

Mrs Hutchinson said: “As a family, we have often visited the cenotaph. It is all the more special now.

“Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday will now honour Dean.”

Town clerk Pauline Waterson said: “We contacted the War Memorials Trust and Durham County Council for the necessary consents.

“It has listed building status, but we were able to do it as the work is in keeping and appropriate.

“We are pleased that the family are happy – it is a fitting tribute and we only hope that we have no more names to add in future".