A RED Canadian maple tree is to be planted in Rowney Green to honour five Canadian airmen who died there during the Second World War.

A commemorative plaque will also be unveiled during a Service of Dedication in the centre of the village on Canada's Thanksgiving Day which is on Monday, October 8.

The airmen died when their Wellington bomber crashed in a field at Lower Park Farm, Rowney Green, on November 9, 1943.

John Hoccom, secretary of the Alvechurch Ex-Services Association, said: "The airmen were flying over the area when their aircraft developed engine trouble. The plane lost height and the pilot could do nothing about it. It crashed from about 600ft and everyone on board died.

"When the association heard of what had happened we felt we wanted to ensure these brave men, who had come from so far away to serve the Mother Country, would be remembered.

"We thought a Canadian Maple tree, as a living symbol, was more fitting than anything else."

The service, which starts at 2pm, will be conducted by Rev David Martin, the Rector of Alvechurch, who will be joined by Lt Col Gary Walker from the Canadian High Commission in London, who will plant the tree.