A BOLTON MP is campaigning to get a war memorial listed as an historic building to prevent developers from moving it.

Developers want to move Dunscar War Memorial 50 yards from its present site to make way for a luxury housing development at the junction of Blackburn Road and Darwen Road, a scheme which has angered local residents.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, is also horrified at the plan and wants people to support his campaign to get the memorial "listed".

"I want to try and get it listed and I shall write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport," said Mr Crausby.

"I need people to provide me with stories and old photographs about the war memorial so I can make the case as strong as possible,

"Anyone who wants to support me in this campaign should write a letter to me at the house of Commons."

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

Mr Crausby believes the listed status would prevent anyone from moving the memorial, not only at present but also in the future.

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

The Bolton Council-owned memorial has been standing for 83 years and commemorates the lives of 130 local men who perished in the First and Second World Wars.

Mr Fitton's plans are to be considered by planning chiefs on September 2. So far, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition against them.

Astley Bridge resident Dave Bowyer, aged 45, who served in the Army for more than 20 years, spoke of his anger at the plan to move the memorial.

"My 85-year-old father, Richard Bowyer, grew up with Francis Ford, one of the men whose name is on the war memorial," said Mr Bowyer.

"I want people to know that they are not just names on that memorial - they represent real people.

"Francis lived in Bromley Cross and played in the band of the Lincolnshire Regiment that he and my father were in. Francis thought he was missing out by playing in the band so he volunteered for active service.

"He joined the Royal Artillery and was killed in Holland after his trench took a direct hit. He was only about 24 when he died.

"I think these plans to move the memorial are outrageous. It is a desecration."