CAMPAIGNERS trying to stop a developer moving a war memorial feel they are close to victory.

Residents want to stop a builder moving the Dunscar war memorial in Egerton - where it has stood for 83 years - to make way for luxury homes.

Campaigners have discovered that similar monuments in the North-west, which were made by sculptors Gaffin & Co, have been protected as listed buildings.

The news has thrilled David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, who has mounted a campaign to get the monument listed to stop it being moved now or in the future.

He said: "I'm delighted that it seems it is eligible for listing and the sooner it can be done the better. I am confident that we will get it listed, now that I know others by the same sculptor are listed. It is certainly worthy of listing because it is so impressive."

Mr Crausby has been leafleting residents in Bromley Cross about the campaign to try and get them to send him their monument stories.

He said: "I have written to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and am in the process of compiling lots of information about it to send off. I want people to write to me with their stories about the memorial and what it means to them."

Author Terry Wykes has written a book about war memorials in Greater Manchester, which is due to be published in November.

He said: "The Dunscar memorial is in a prominent position and was built as a memorial for residents in Dunscar, Eagley, Egerton and Bromley Cross. At the time, it proved difficult to raise enough money for the memorial and the locals held a sports gala to get some money to pay Gaffin.

"All memorials should be treasured by their communities, even though there are thousands of them. And, even though Gaffin wasn't a particularly important sculptor, the memorial is important to local people."

The department of Culture, Media and Sport will decide whether or not it can be relocated 50 yards away.

Listed buildings and objects of special architectural or historic interest can include a wide variety of structures, from castles to milestones, and enjoy special protected status under planning law.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "It is not particularly rare to protect a war memorial and it is done. If the monument is under threat, it can be rushed through the system."

Developer Stephen Fitton wants to move the memorial so he can have access to a planned development of 11 five-bedroom homes and an apartment block on land he owns behind his Dunscar Fold home.

The Bolton Council-owned memorial commemorates the lives of 130 local men who perished in the First and Second World Wars.

The council will consider Mr Fitton's plans on September 2.