THE FUTURE of a crumbling war memorial could now be secured after campaigners discovered that it was designed by a famous Edwardian architect.

The monument, which stands outside St Barnabas Church in Woodford Green, may have to be pulled down unless thousands of pounds can be found to repair its rotting wooden cross and badly damaged stonework.

But Alan Clarke, Deputy Church Warden, said campaigners had 'hit the jackpot' after being told that the memorial is the work of influential architect Sir Charles Nicholson, whose designs are prized by historians.

The father-of-two has been advised to apply to English Heritage to get the structure listed - which would open the door to the funding the church needs to bring it back to its former glory.

He said: "We were over the moon when they told us the memorial was worthy of listed status, it was like winning the jackpot.

"I checked on the internet for Sir Charles Nicholson and found that he was a very well respected ecclesiastical architect.

"We consulted the War Memorials Trust and the Imperial War Museum and were advised to apply for listed status because of its historical importance.

"I would like anyone in the community who knows any more about it to come forward so that we can use that information in the application."

If it receives the money it needs for renovation work, the church hopes to add the names of all of the other soldiers from the parish who have died for their country since it was first erected in the 1920s.

Sally Walker, chair of the church council said: "We want to bring the memorial up to date.

"We will try to establish other names that should be added and would like anyone with information on this to contact us."

Contact St Barnabas Church on: 8504 4687.