THE third anniversary of Ferndown hero Lieutenant John Thornton’s death will be marked by the unveiling of a special garden of memories.

Ten stones taken from close to where the 22-year-old Royal Marine fell in Afghanistan on March 30, 2008, were flown back to his parents Peter and Linda Thornton on the orders of his 40 Commando Major.

They will form part of a marker to John in a new tribute to the town’s late and great in Millennium Gardens in Peter Grant Way.

Organisers want to know who should be remembered alongside John in an arrangement of 16 pieces of local stone, and are holding an open meeting tomorrow to discuss suitable candidates.

Ferndown town councillor Lesley Dedman, who was mayor when the news of John’s death broke, said: “The whole town was shocked, and so many people started asking: ‘Where’s our town memorial to honour him and others?’ “So this will be a memorial to people who have meant a lot in Ferndown. It’s very much a community project.

“We want people to come along and nominate worthy people, giving a reason why they should be remembered.

“Details of a special opening ceremony are being finalised. John’s father Peter said: “After John was killed there was a great outpouring of support from the community for us, but also a sudden realisation that even though there was a war memorial at the British Legion and at Hampreston, there was no other memorial for a lot of superb people who have done things for the town.

“Now that’s becoming a reality.”

The meeting starts at 7pm at the Barrington Centre in Penny's Walk.