SEVEN war memorials in Hampshire are among hundreds to be listed in a bid to protect thousands of memorials by next year - marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Historic England has pledged to list a total of 2,500 war memorials over the centenary of the First World War.

To do this Historic England needs members of the public to put their war memorials forward for listing.

This is all part of a wider partnership the the governing body of protected sites have forged with War Memorials Trust, Civic Voice and the Imperial War Museums to help communities discover, care for and conserve war memorials.

Working with volunteers across the country, the programme is providing up to £2million in grants for war memorial repair and conservation and hundreds of workshops to teach people how to record their memorials and put them forward for listing.

Built by British communities in the years following the conflict the memorials are a physical reminder of the sacrifices and loss the First World War brought about.

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “Researching, recording and recommending up to 2,500 more war memorials for listing over the next five years is a major task but one that Historic England is proud to undertake.

"These memorials will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifice and struggle.”

Historic England state that the goal of the project is to see as many war memorials as possible are in a fitting condition for the centenary, and hope that they will remain cherished local landmarks for generations to come.

Listed memorials in Hampshire:

Ringwood War Memorial

Church Crookham War Memorial

Eversley War Memorial

South Warnborough War Memorial

Hinton War Memorial

Burley War Memorial

Headbourne Worthy War Memorial

For more information on listing visit: historicengland.org.uk/listingwarmemorials