Totton has long had the dubious honour of having a war memorial which fails to identify the names of the servicemen who have fallen in conflict.

Now a fresh attempt is being made to ensure the names of Totton's war dead are added to the stone cross behind the civic centre.

A fundraising appeal has been launched by Neal Scott, who has just stepped down as chairman of the town council.

Cllr Scott said: "I originally planned to start collecting money several months ago but decided to delay the appeal following the Asian tsunami.

"We are now midway between the VE Day and VJ Day celebrations and it seems an appropriate time to launch the appeal.

"I'm hoping to raise enough money to embellish the memorial by adding the names of about 100 Totton people who died in the two world wars and other hostilities.

"The names are read out every year, but there isn't a constant reminder for people walking by."

Cllr Scott is collecting cash in pubs and clubs and will also be present when the new Hanger Farm arts and tennis centre in Aikman Lane, Totton, is opened on Saturday. He is hoping businesses and organisations in the town will contribute to the appeal. The memorial was unveiled in the 1970s, but has never been adorned with the names of Totton residents who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A Royal British Legion spokesman said: "There has been a long ongoing campaign to add two wings with all the names of the fallen, but for various reasons it's just never happened.

"A fundraising campaign was launched back in the 1970s, but the cost kept rising."