A TOWN'S oldest resident cut a ribbon to declare a memorial bench commemorating the end of The Great War officially in use.

Mary Shaw, who is 102 and lives in the Croftlands Residential Home, Milnthorpe, was called upon to perform the honours on Beetham Road last Thursday. The iron bench is decorated with poppies and features World War I soldiers. It was partially funded by Milnthorpe Parish Council along with a grant from Memorial Hall funds.

Cllr Roger Bingham said a few words about the history of war memorials in the village. He said that the village war memorial was one of the earliest to be built in the country. It was dedicated in the summer of 1919 and remembered the 21 village lads who had laid down their lives for their country.

After the second world war the authorities decided to build a Memorial Hall for the use of the community and to remember those who had made the utmost sacrifice. This is now let out to tenants and the rental income is used for the good of the village. Some of this money went to the building of the bench.