A parish council has called for the ‘brave sacrifice’ of its villagers to be recognised by restoring a 90-year-old war memorial which has fallen into disrepair.

North Somerset Times: Mike Phipps who is raising money to preserve Portbury's war memorial. Picture: MARK ATHERTONMike Phipps who is raising money to preserve Portbury's war memorial. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Portbury Parish Council is calling on villagers to help raise £3,500 to restore the Great War Memorial, located at the junction of High Street and Station Road.

A total of £13,000 is needed to fund the restoration. The council has applied for a grant from the War Memorials Trust to pay for the rest of the project.

The memorial, which was first constructed in the 1920s, recognises the 76 men from Portbury who served their country in World War One, 13 of whom lost their lives in service.

The names of three men who died during World War Two were added more recently.

Among the names on the monument is George Yate, who lived in the village until 1911, when he volunteered to join the army.

George was deployed to the front shortly after. He worked as a blacksmith and achieved the rank of sergeant before being awarded the Star Medal for outstanding bravery in 1915.

Mike Phipps, chairman of Portbury Parish Council, says George served as inspiration behind the council’s campaign.

He said: “War heroes like George will live on in our memories, but the memorial needs a lot of work to keep it in good order for the future.

“Your donations will help us secure the monument for many years to come.”

Cllr Phipps says the council was also inspired by the scale of the sacrifice made by Portbury’s villagers.

He said: “Portbury is a small village of fewer than 500 people.

“With so many names engraved on the Great War Memorial, it’s important to acknowledge the brave sacrifice made by those who gave their lives for our country.”

The funds will be used to repair a large crack on the front of the monument’s facade as well as improving the appearance of the memorial overall.

Donations can be sent to Portbury Parish Council, Adcroft House, Roath Road, Portishead, BS20 6AW. The Priory Inn, in Station Road, will also be taking donations.