HUNDREDS of pounds of donations have begun to pour into a fund to build new war memorial walls in Southampton.

Many individuals and around ten companies have already made donations with around 20 more firms planning collections.

Cheques from as far as Devon have also been sent as the appeal gathers pace.

The two walls of remembrance would be built alongside the city’s Cenotaph in Watt’s Park, pictured, to honour all the city’s war dead by name.

Southampton City Council has already pledged £50,000 to the project, leaving at least £70,000 to be raised by businesses and the public.

The Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading the appeal, is urging residents to donate £1 each.

Veterans and relatives of servicemen and women killed in the conflicts have been queuing up to back the appeal.

The Southampton branch of the Royal British Legion is due to announce cash collection points in the next few days. Street collections are also planned.

Council chiefs came up with the proposal as a way for safeguarding the names of the 2,000 First World War heroes on the 1920 monument, which are in danger of fading.

They decided they could not afford the £300,000 to fully restore the Cenotaph, although would continue to maintain it.

The proposed walls of remembrance will recognise the ultimate sacrifice made by the city’s men and women in all subsequent conflicts.