A POIGNANT re-dedication service was held at Stourbridge’s war memorial marking completion of works to make it more accessible.

Improvements to the cenotaph area in Mary Stevens Park are among a series of works taking place as part of a £3.1million Lottery funded scheme to give the borough beauty spot a makeover.

Ex-servicemen and dignitaries including the Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley – Councillor Steve Waltho and his wife Jayne - turned out for the service, led by Rev Tom Chapman, on Friday September 18.

The restoration works mean the memorial, located on Queen's Drive in the Norton park, is no longer over-shadowed by trees and people wishing to pay their respects will be able to better see the names of commemorated servicemen.

Pedestrian gates have also been returned to the park following restoration work carried out by Ridware Architectural Ltd from Kings Bromley, Burton-on-Trent.