AN ARTIST is in the process of creating the sculpture for a war memorial in Wootton Bassett.

Residents have been fundraising for more than five years to create a fitting tribute to the town's men and women who lost their lives during the two world wars.

They hit their target of £12,000 earlier this year and the order to compete the monument was placed with Calne sculptor Vivian ap Rhys Price.

The base for the structure was installed in 2001 and the War Memorial Committee have been campaigning to complete the project ever since.

Committee secretary Coun Susan Cooksley says the memorial should be ready by the spring.

She said: "It's been a long time coming, longer than we thought it was going to be.

"So many people have helped us come this far.

"We just want to complete it now and get it up.

"The artist is working on her bit of it. She is modelling the design in wax and then it goes to be cast in bronze."

The design for the sculpture is a hand holding a globe. It is meant to represent both the past and the concept of looking forward to the future.

The public voted for the final design after the committee held a competition in 1999.

Jay Cunningham, a 15-year-old army cadet at the time, started the project as she felt there was an inadequate focal point for Remem-brance Day parades.

Jay, who is now a youth worker, said: "It has been a long road so it will be a relief to see it completed.

"A lot of people have worked towards this so it will be nice for everyone to see it done."

Guy Harris, a member of the British Legion, helped Jay kickstart the campaign four years ago.

The 78-year-old said: "I am very pleased it is coming to fruition. It is one of these things that sometimes caught the imagination and some-times didn't. It is a shame it couldn't all be installed at once.

"A town of Wootton Bassett's standing should have a war memorial. We always have a good turn out on Remembrance Day so the interest is there."

The final £1,500 has been pledged by an individual donor, who wished to remain anonymous, but anyone who wishes to contribute can call Coun Cooksley on 01793 855241.

Bryan Kingscote, chairman of Wootton Bassett Royal British Legion, said: "We're very happy it's being built, and we'll be pleased when it's finally finished."

Percy Miles, 72, has been a member of the Wootton Bassett Royal British Legion since 1981 and also helps organise the poppy appeal.

He served in the Army for 23 years and thinks a war memorial in Wootton Bassett, where he lives, is long overdue.

He said: "We definitely need a memorial and I support it whole heartedly. But personally I don't think the hands and globe is the right design.

"I would prefer to see a sculpture of a plain poppy reef, which is the ultimate symbol of remembrance."

Don Dedman, president of the neighbouring Swindon branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It's a great idea and it's a good design because our troops have been all over the world, from Mesopotamia to South Africa in the Boer War."

Derek Dowdell, a member of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment Association, lost his 19-year-old son Martin in Bosnia nine years ago.

He said: "I'm all for it. Something eye catching will make people think about it more."

Mr Dowdell, of Aspen Close, said he would like to see Martin's name included. Martin was killed in a road accident with two other servicemen.