FALLEN heroes from the Second World War are finally to be remembered with a tribute at the cenotaph.After years of campaigning and hundreds of letters of support, the Royal British Legion has finally received planning permission to add the 620 names to the Christchurch Park memorial.

FALLEN heroes from the Second World War are finally to be remembered with a tribute at the cenotaph.

After years of campaigning and hundreds of letters of support, the Royal British Legion has finally received planning permission to add the 620 names to the Christchurch Park memorial.

Currently the RBL has raised £85,000 towards the project with a further £10,000 needed to make the memorial a reality.

Peter Thompson, chairman of the Ipswich RBL said: "All of the money has been raised by the people of Ipswich and the memorial belongs to them not the British Legion.

"We are very pleased that planning permission has been approved.

"I had in the region of 35 people from my family in the two world wars and they all came home.

"Others were not so fortunate and I have had so many letters from people telling their stories."

It is believed that Ipswich is the only town of its size not to have the names of its Second World War victims on its memorial.

Mr Thompson added: "In population comparisons we have lost a lot of people, more than 2,200 altogether.

"This was a military town with a naval port and a lot of people went to war - there were so many casualties."

The names of these victims of war are now set to be remembered together. The memorial wall is to be raised and the names of World War Two victims placed below the 1,500 casualties of World War One.

A ceremony to open the new memorial is scheduled for May 16 - the 80th anniversary of the erection of the cenotaph.

The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemache, is expected to attend the event.

Mr Thompson said: "This should have been done a long time if it wasn't for these people we wouldn't be here today."

The RBL is also planning a dance to boost funds for the project.

This will take place at the Manor Ballroom in Ipswich on March 28 with tickets priced at £5.

Terry Lee Travis and friends will provide live entertainment and there will also be a licensed bar.

Tickets are available from the Tourist Information centre at the Buttermarket or from Peter Thompson on 01473 747983.

Donations can be sent to Ipswich World War Two Memorial Fund, The Bungalow, Thurleston Lane, Ipswich IP1 6TH.