WE ALL KNOW what Bournemouth's Cenotaph or the Hardy Monument represent.

But what about that little fountain tucked away in the corner of the park? Or the standing stone whose words have all but worn off?

Historic England - the body which looks after all our ancient monuments - wants everyone in Dorset to let them know what they know about their local monument as part of 'Immortalised', its new initiative to help people in England explore who and how we remember.

According to Historic England, new research shows that one in seven (14 per cent) of women and 10 per cent of men have created a memorial of their own although younger people are less likely to think memorials represent ‘those who have made a significant contribution to our history’.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: "We want photographs and information about lesser-known memorials, and those that are well-loved by small groups or communities but unknown nationally.

“We are creatures of memory, and every generation has commemorated people in the built environment. "Their stories may involve episodes of heroism or generosity and be inspirational, or they may involve episodes which are shameful by today’s standards but they all tell us something about the lives of our ancestors.

"This is a terrifically important subject and that’s why we have launched the Immortalised season."

He said the public's stories and pictures will be recorded to form part of an exhibition in the Autumn, saying: "The best examples of community memorials may be listed as part of our efforts to protect and champion what’s special in the historic environment."

Historic England is also looking for rituals and activities attached to memorials and researchers are particularly interested in finding out about the way ordinary people and communities create unofficial memorials that become part of our collective memory.

It says the nation's shrines are as diverse as the memorial in Camden to Amy Winehouse, to the statue commemorating the Tolpuddle Martyrs in Dorset.

*Register your memorial at historicengland.org