Shrub End war memorial restoration plan is approved

But Kevin Starling, 68, still needs to find £32,000 to fund the works which will restore the monument in Shrub End Road, Colchester.

Fundraising will mark the second stage of his prolonged battle after Colchester Council finally approved his plans.

The 8ft stone structure was originally built in the 1920s to honour 17 men who gave their lives for their country during the First World War.

Fenced off - the memorial has been protected amid safety concerns (Image: Newsquest)

In recent years it fell into a state of disrepair and was fenced off amid safety concerns, with the marble plaque naming the fallen being removed and put into storage.

The refurbishment project is expected to cost £40,000 and take four weeks to finish, with just £8,000 raised so far.

Mr Starling, who has been told he has under 18 months to live, said he hopes the works can be completed in his lifetime.

He said: “My terminal diagnosis makes chasing the monument’s completion even more critical in my eyes.

Determined - Kevin Starling has been fighting to save the war memorial for seven years (Image: Newsquest)

“What I should have done when I started this in late 2016 is walk away but I’m not that sort of person.”

The volunteer said he applied to the War Memorials Trust for a grant but is yet to hear if his bid has been successful.

He explained the decision will be crucial in determining whether the Grade II listed memorial will ever be able to be restored.

“People have lost their lives but people have also lost loved ones and it is so important these people are remembered so we see war for what it is – a complete waste of life," said Mr Starling.

Crumbling - cracks have appeared in the Grade II listed monument (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Starling added: “It has been such hard work with all the red tape and rigmarole that goes with it, purely because it is a listed monument.

“Every pound that is fundraised is a breath of fresh air because we desperately need to raise these funds and we’ve potentially got a long way to go.”

Donations can be made to the Shrub End Residents Association. Account number 60388460, sort code 30-92-16.