A CHURCH minister has praised the generosity of the community in helping restore a First World War memorial in time for Remembrance Sunday.

In August this year the tribute at St James Church, Pokesdown was tarnished by vandals.

The top of the memorial was pushed over and shattered.

This incident sparked shock and sadness for the church community, who were planning to mark the 100th anniversary of the conclusion of the Great War on Sunday with a Remembrance Day service.

However, after reports in the Daily Echo and a fundraising drive, the church has been able to raise the money to repair the cross and return it to its original condition.

The Rev John Pares, priest in charge at St James Church, said: “We have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity.

“As soon as people knew about what had happened they approached us with offers to help.

“The fundraising has been so successful that we have also been able to renew the planting in the Peace Garden around the memorial. I just want to say a huge thank you to everybody who made a donation."

A project has come together at the church to highlight the 66 Pokesdown residents who left for the fields of France and never returned home.

Mr Pares added: “In their memory an exhibition with biographies of each of the men and details of their short lives.

“Our church will be open during the week leading up to Sunday, November 11 from 9am to 4pm so that people can view this exhibition and pay their respects.”

There will also be a service of Remembrance on Sunday at the War Memorial in the grounds of St James the Greater Church on Pokesdown Hill, Bournemouth.

“We will be remembering these brave young men, giving thanks for their sacrifice and praying for peace and justice across the world. Please join us if you are able,” Mr Pares said.

The service will start at 10am in church and will continue around the memorial cross shortly before 11am, when two' minutes silence will be observed, and the bugler will sound The Last Post and Reveille.