A WAR memorial at the heart of a parish could collapse and be lost for ever unless funds for vital restoration work are found.

Deputy warden at St Barnabas Church Alan Clark said the memorial, which records the names of all the people in the parish lost in battle, is “perilously close” to falling down.

“The war memorial was put up in the early 1900s,” he said. “The stone base has rotted away and the memorial is leaning at quite a perilous angle. We have got to do some major renovation work on it.

“It's a very heavy statue and there's a concern it will fall over. If it were to, the damage caused could possibly not be repaired.”

As well as restoration work, Mr Clark said he hoped that more names would be added to the memorial, which stands in the church grounds, in Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green.

The church has applied to the War Memorials Trust for funding, but in order to qualify for a grant it must first raise half the money itself- over £600.

Mr Clark said: “It's a focal point for the parish and represents not only people who have died in the World Wars, but those who are fighting right now. It's very important to the church and the parish. It would be an absolute nightmare if this memorial was not restored and actually collapsed. It would be a total disrespect for anyone who died defending our frontiers.”

Anyone who can help with the restoration work funding should contact Mr Clark on 07958 032129.