WOOTTON Bassett will not get a war memorial in time for this year's Remembrance Sunday Parade after all.

But the working party committed to the project is confident one will be in place to honour the town's war-dead next year.

Wootton Bassett has never had a memorial for the 70 local men who lost their lives in the two world wars.

Last spring Army cadet Jay Cunningham, then 15, collected 500 signatures in support of one. Money poured in, designs were submitted, and Jay and the working party she set up hoped a memorial would be erected in time for the millennium Remembrance Sunday Service.

But things have taken longer than planned as Steve Bucknall, who is a member of the working party and also a North Wiltshire district councillor, explained.

"The target we set ourselves was a bit ambitious, given all that was involved with getting something like this off the ground," said the Conservative councillor for Wootton Bassett South.

"We wanted to make sure we had a design which most people in the town would be happy with, and the design and consultation process took longer than anticipated.

"We are confident we have now got a suitable design, and a Wiltshire artist is working on a scale model which should be in the Post Office window by November 11."

If the model is approved by the working party, a budget will be agreed on and the memorial commissioned.

The anticipated cost is around £10,000, and £4,500 has already been raised. A further £2,000 has been promised by North Wiltshire District Council, and grants from other organisations may follow.

Wootton Bassett and District Branch of The Royal British Legion has supported Jay and the working party throughout the process, and one of its members is in the working party.

Spokesman Guy Harris said: "We shall be very, very, glad to get one because it will give us a focal point for the ceremonies we hold each year."

The local branch of the Royal British Legion will still hold parades and services this month to the memory of those who died while serving their country.

On Saturday, November 11 Armistice Day a parade from 10.45am will take place down the High Street to the Town Hall, where the two minute silence will be observed followed by a short service of remembrance.

The following day, on Remembrance Sunday, wreaths will be laid at the war memorial in the neighbouring village of Hook at 10.45am. A service of remembrance will then take place in the community hall.

At 2.05pm the branch will hold its annual parade, finishing in St Bartholomew's Church for a service of remembrance.