READING out the names of the war dead is an important feature of many church services on Remembrance Day.

But this has never happened in one Bournemouth church because the memorial to the fallen was destroyed more than 30 years ago.

Now that is about to change - thanks to some nifty detective work by a vicar.

When Rev Jim Findlay came to St Paul's Church in Throop he knew that it was built during the 1980s to replace the original Victorian edifice of St Paul’s, which was demolished to make way for Asda and the Wessex Way 38 years ago.

“I was really surprised, however, that despite this, any memorial plaque in the old church wasn’t saved,” he said.

He began investigating the situation, discovering there was a commemorative tablet but it had not been rescued from the building or passed to any other church or body to be taken care of.

“I realised that the names on it would not have been remembered elsewhere or been read out as many are during Remembrance Sunday services,” he said.

After further digging he discovered an image of the old plaque and painstakingly deciphered all the names on it. “The photograph of the memorial had a statement which said it commemorated men connected to this church who gave their lives,” he said.

He decided to have these names read out in church on Sunday. “I thought it might interest people in the area who may have had connections to those names, if they wanted to come along and hear perhaps their grandparent or great-grandparent’s name being remembered,” he said.

The idea has enthused parishoners, a handful of whom came to the new St Paul’s from the former, demolished one. “They are thrilled this is happening and the rest re thrilled too, because we are holding on to something important,” he said.

Now the Rev Findlay is planning to read the names in subsequent Remembrance Day services and, if the right permission and some sponsorship could be obtained, looking into commissioning a new plaque of remembrance for the church building.