THE country grinds to a halt today (Thursday), to remember those who have died in conflict.

Hundreds of people will flock to war memorials, and on again Sunday, to show their respect.

But in Lostock Hall, a memorial with a difference will be the centre of attention - a Cairn of Peace.

Unlike the thousands of cenoptaphs erected in villages, towns and cities across Britain in the wake of the two World Wars, the Cairn of Peace was put up in 1996 to commemorate 50 years of relative peace.

Today Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Margaret Smith, will rededicate the monument, at the junction of Brownedge Road and Leyland Lane, following refurbishment.

Jack Mullaniff, from the Lostock Hall British Legion, said: "The cairn was first put in place after the people of Lostock Hall paid for it to be created to mark 50 years of relative peace, which was a fantastic achievement.

"So many people have died in past conflicts it is wonderful that we have gone for 50 years without a war which has engulfed the entire world."

The site is now tended by the council and is carefully watched by many local people. It was recently cleaned and its grounds spruced up ahead of the ceremony.

Officials at the Royal British Legion decided to rededicate the cairn this week because it is the last Armistice Day before the Millennium, and locals in Lostock Hall are keen that the half century of peace which has prevailed should last throughout the next Millennium.

Mayor of South Ribble, Coun Margaret Smith, said: "It is a wonderful idea and nice to see that the cairn has been looked after since it was put it place."

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