A MEMORIAL garden by the Atherton Cenotaph was officially unveiled in tribute to our war heroes on Wednesday.

It has been partly paid for through Wigan Council's Brighter Borough funding, with more than £10,000 given to the Atherton Cenotaph Memorial Project (AMCP).

Atherton and Atherleigh councillors also made seizable donations.

Commander Harry Harley, president of area 10 of the Royal Naval Association, opened the memorial and a short service was given by Rev Reg Sinclair, from Atherton Parish Church.

ACMP treasurer Peter Wilkie, who applied for the funding, said: “We are so happy that Wigan Council and our local councillors have recognised the importance of the garden and have decided to fund part of our project.

“We have been working on this for a long time, so we are elated to have it complete in time for Remembrance Sunday.”

Atherton councillors Karen, Mark and Martin Aldred and Atherleigh councillor Pam Stewart all gave £2,500 for site clearance, planting, gravel and paving of the garden.

Atherton councillor Jamie Hodgkinson and Atherleigh councillor John Harding each donated £1,875 to pay for a number of benches.

Wednesday's service, which ended with a buffet in the Atherton Scouts hut, was attended by Mayor of Wigan Borough Cllr Ron Conway, leader of the council Lord Peter Smith and Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

Lord Smith said: “Brighter Borough was set up as a way of us giving back to our communities.

"The money is used to leave a lasting impression and to enhance our borough.

“Projects such as the Atherton Cenotaph Memorial Project are perfect examples of how this money can benefit your local area while also remembering a pivotal time in our history.

“It was a privilege to be at the event and to see the hard work that has gone into the garden.”

Further works, such as a sensory garden and adding disabled access to the site, have been funded through National Lottery funding and other grants.

Hand-carved crests will be incorporated into the memorial wall to commemorate all our armed forces.

For more information about Brighter Borough funding visit wigan.gov.uk.