A call has gone out for members of a Copeland town to join together to preserve a proud piece of their community.

For years, a dedicated group of volunteers have maintained the war memorials in Millom, ensuring the flowerbeds and surrounding area are kept pristine.

However, as time takes it toll on the stonework, the volunteers have said they need more help if they are to ensure the memorials are protected for future generations.

Jeanette James, former secretary of the British Legion in Millom, said: "We need £28,000 for the war memorial alone. As a little group that we are, we can't raise all that money."

The volunteers who have taken care of the monument for years are calling for as many people as possible to support their fundraising efforts.

Joan Kellett, a member of the British Legion, said: "It's cared for by members of the Royal British Legion and volunteers. We maintain it and plant all the flowers, but it's crumbling away and we thought we need to do something."

The war memorial in Cambridge Street has stood for almost 100 years.

Like hundreds of other towns which were devastated by the horrors of the First World War, a memorial was dedicated in 1925 to the memory of those from the town who lost their lives in the conflict.

In 2013, Copeland Borough Council, which had maintained the memorial and surrounding flowerbeds, announced it would be withdrawing those services due to budget cuts.

This development resulted in a community backlash, and a group of protesters staged a 271-second sit-in protest, with each second representing a name engraved on the monument.

For four years, the volunteer group has worked to maintain the memorial. Over recent months, they have realised they are in need of more expert knowledge to preserve the stonework.

Mrs Kellett said: "It has become apparent to the members of this group of volunteers that a serious amount of money will be needed to maintain the pathways and steps, which are in need of renovation."

As well as the memorial in the centre of town, the volunteers have identified another location in the town which is in need of attention.

Mrs Kellett said: "The Boer War memorial in the grounds of St George's church is also in need of attention, it is beyond the means for the volunteer group to do this work alone."

In order to get the initiatives off the ground, a public meeting is to be held to attract support.

It is hoped members of the community will come forwards and establish a 'Millom War Memorials' group. With the creation of a formal structure, committee and constitution it would be able to apply for charity status.

Mrs Kellett said: "This will then allow to the group to apply for government grants as well as business sponsorship, to help keep the Millom war memorials in good repair."

Mrs James added: "We want as much support as we can get."

If they are successful in forming a working group, they will start to lobby for grants, as well as fundraising in the community.

Mrs Kellett added that the renovation would "reflect the respect of those from Millom who are named upon them."