Fury at plan to move war memorial

The memorial is used as a focal point for Remembrance Day

War veterans have expressed anger at plans to relocate a Devon seaside resort's war memorial.

The Mayor of Torbay is considering moving the Torquay memorial from its current position to allow the area to be regenerated.

The memorial lists service men and women killed in war and is used for Remembrance Day events.

The mayor said he would not move it unless he had the backing of the people of Torbay.

It's sacrosanct and should not be moved Heather Buckpitt, wartime airman's daughter

Torquay resident, Ken Sturdy, from the Normandy Veterans' Association, said: "It's as though [the memorial] accumulates over the years, the desires, the wishes, the heartfelt memories of a community.

"To move it is something that has to be done only with the good wishes of the community."

Heather Buckpitt's father was an airman killed in World War II.

His name was listed on the memorial, after she successfully campaigned to have the names of World War II fatalities added to it.

She said: "Year on year people stand there on Remembrance Sunday to remember those that lost their lives for the rest of us.

"I think it's sacrosanct and should not be moved."

'Prominent' position

The memorial is currently located in Pavillion Gardens on Torquay's seafront.

Torbay Mayor Nick Bye said: "We've got to get the regeneration investment under way.

"My own personal view is possibly moving the war memorial into a prominent position on the new promenade so it looks across the bay."

He added that the move would only happen if it had public support.

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