THE restoration of Alloa's war memorial was unveiled last week as part of a Clacks-wide, two-year project.

Originally unveiled almost 100 years ago in 1924, the memorial's restoration is part of a programme of work to repair and restore Clackmannanshire's war memorials.

Work began in April following the appointment of a number of specialist contractors.

The impressive bronze statue was created by Charles D'Orville Pilkington Jackson and depicts St Margaret and troops at the trenches during the First World War.

Bronze name plaques have also been refurbished at Alloa, as well as at Menstrie, Alva and Coalsnaughton war memorials.

The next stage of work will involve the repointing of the lime mortar joints and stone cleaning at these monuments by specialists.

Contractors supporting the Council in this work are Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation, The Scottish Lime Centre Trust and Powderhall Bronze Art Studio.

Investment to date is in the region of £30,000 with a similar level of investment expected to be spent in 2023/24.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: "I was delighted to attend a ceremony to mark the refurbishment of Alloa's War Memorial.

"This refurbishment is part of an ongoing programme, involving a very important investment of £30,000 a year by Clackmannanshire Council, refurbishing local war memorials with the memorial at Alva next on the list.

"Created by a sculptor who had personal experience of the trenches he depicts, the Alloa War Memorial is a poignant and striking tribute to the fallen and reminder of the awful reality of war.

"Originally unveiled in 1924, the work that has been carried out by local craftsmen will see the memorial ready for the next hundred years."

Speaking earlier this year, Provost Donald Balsillie said: "The Alloa War Memorial, designed by renowned sculptor Charles Pilkington Jackson and architect Sir Robert Lorimer, is of national significance."

Following the completion of work in Alloa, restoration will begin at Alva War Memorial.

This will involve the removal of the Celtic cross and the adjoining shaft to undergo repairs to a crack in the stone as a result of water ingress to the steel pins inserted for stability and alignment during the original erection.

Alloa War Memorial was unveiled on September 28, 1924 by Field Marshall The Earl Haig and had cost £4,400 to erect.