TWO war memorials, erected to honour the ultimate sacrifice by the relatives of many Marston families, have been immortalised by becoming listed.

Historic England has been campaigning since 2014 to make all WWI war memorials across England Grade-II listed structures.

The status ensures that buildings are considered 'of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them'.

Last week two war memorials at Marston, one at St Nicholas's Church, Old Marston, and another at the junction of William Street and John Garne Way with Marston Road, were both granted the Grade-II listed building status, protecting them for future generations.

Old Marston parish councillor and vice chairman of the council Duncan Hatfield welcomed the news and hailed it as an important way of safeguarding a key part of the area's history.

He said: "Old Marston has a long history and I think it helps us remember the people that laid down their lives for us.

"The people on the war memorial, some of their families have been here for generations. It is about remembering them.

"It is good to remember that Old Marston played its part and I think its good to remember that piece of history.

"As a member of the community and a parish councillor I am sure others would agree that future generations need to remember the sacrifices made for them. That is why we have Remembrance Sunday.

"The younger generations they may not even be aware that they have lost their relatives without memorials like that."

The memorials are inscribed with 38 names from both the first and second world wars, according to the Imperial War Museum.

Marston Councillor Mick Haines also welcomed the news and said he was thrilled that it had now been included as a listed monument.

Mr Haines said: "I am very pleased with it, it is a really good thing to have them listed.

"It makes sure that they are there for future generations. It is saving it for future generations and that is a really important thing for the area.

"It is nice to see it immortalised because we have to protect these monuments. I am really pleased with it."

The Historic England project is funded by the department for culture, media and sport and aims to list 2,500 similar memorials by 2019.