A UNIQUE First World War memorial at an Oldswinford church is in danger of falling into a state of disrepair through the ravages of weather and time if funds are not raised to save it.

The memorial – mainly made of wood, unlike the majority of stone memorials seen throughout Britain’s town and villages – stands in the north porch of St Mary’s Church on Rectory Road.

But the porch is built of poor quality sandstone that no longer repels the rain that falls on it while the walls are damp and the plasterwork has deteriorated with age.

Church warden Tony Tatford said: “The porch no longer does justice to this important memorial and the men it records.

“We are appealing to our congregation and the wider parish for funds to help us repair the porch in order to present the memorial in a manner which befits its purpose and the sacrifice of all those named.”

The memorial records not only the 70 names of those who died serving their country between 1914-19 but also all of the 365 men from the parish who served in uniform.

It was designed and made by the well-known Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts which, among other highly regarded artefacts, also designed and made the gates for Buckingham Palace.

Mr Tatford added: “The memorial is part of the heritage of Oldswinford, something to be respected, cherished and provided for by all of us who today live in the relative peace and harmony won for us at such cost.”

The church is open every day when this memorial, and several other significant features of the church and the history of Stourbridge may be viewed.

Donations can be made by texting FOSM29 and the amount to 70070 or via the church website at stmaryschurcholdswinford.org.uk or on its Facebook page.