A CALL has been made to Redditch Council to protect the town centre war memorial, and for it to be treated with the respect it deserves.

Concerns have been raised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and members of the public about the way the memorial, outside St Stephen’s Church, is used.

A petition has now been sent to council leader Carole Gandy by the RBL, signed by more than 150 people, to see if something can be done.

After Redditch Council removed some seating to refurbish the area, the seating was never replaced, and people are now sitting on the memorial to eat their lunch.

Youngsters also skateboard and ride their bikes on and around the step of the memorial.

Sheila Boyd, the women’s standard bearer for Redditch RBL, said: “Since the council removed some seating there are simply not enough places for people to sit, so they sit on the memorial.

“And youngsters do skate and cycle around it, although they have not caused any damage.

“We think if there was some kind of chain around it, and seating was reinstated, then the memorial, and the people it commemorates, would be treated with the respect and reverence they deserve.”

A Redditch Council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the concerns that are being raised about the war memorial and is working closely with the Redditch Town Centre Partnership to find ways to tackle problems and to protect the memorial for the future.”