MEMORIAL plaques remembering the thousands of Blackburn servicemen killed in the First World War have been laid in a park.

The granite stones engraved with the soldiers’ names have been put down in Corporation Park near the war memorial in time for the Remembrance Day commemorations.

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So far, the names of those who died in 1914, the year the Great War began, have been laid.

Organisers are planning to repeat the process each year with those who died during the corresponding year of the conflict, until 2018.

A stone with a map of the world detailing the locations of where the Blackburn men fell has also been put down.

Ray Smith, chairman of the Blackburn local history society, was involved in researching the names.

He said: “This is an ongoing project that will tell the story of all those lives of the men who lived, were born or who enlisted in Blackburn, that were lost.

“They all volunteered and they gave their lives so it is important we remember that sacrifice.

“I think the plaques will tell a lovely story when the project is complete.

“By the time the scheme is finished, more than 3,000 names will be listed.

Brent Stevenson, owner of Brent Stevenson Memorials, in Preston Old Road, said the company had donated memorials.

He said: “We are hoping people will come and pay their respects and learn from such a disaster.

“The memorial is an educational resource for future generations and because the plaques are made of granite, people can take rubbings.”

If anybody has any information about a soldier that should be included on a future plaque, call Mr Smith on 01254 247257.