A NEW memorial garden to honour soldiers from the First World War has been installed in a town centre.

Burnham now has a Tommy statue, a memorial bench and red cyclamen flowers installed next to the council offices in the high street.

The commemorative arrangement is on the corner of Chapel Road, across from the war memorial.

Work was completed earlier this month by landscaping business The Limes.

The project was designed and organised by town clerk Sarah Grimes.

The Tommy, which was installed at the library last year to mark the centennial commemorations of the end of the First World War, has now been given a permanent home.

Ceramic poppies will be either added to or replace the cyclamen plants.

Burnham mayor Wendy Stamp said: “Residents expressed strong views for the town council to keep Tommy in Burnham following Maldon District Council’s decision to replace the new park signage, so he had to move.

“Following a series of discussions, plus the purchase of the wonderful ‘Lest We Forget’ metal bench, councillors agreed this location would be ideal for a permanent memorial garden.

“I am absolutely delighted with the efforts of Sarah Grimes and her team as well as The Limes for their hard work.

“The two benches alongside the Tommy provide a lovely area in which to sit, reflect and thank fallen soldiers for the sacrifices they made.”