A MEMORIAL bell to honour fallen soldiers at Oxfordshire's repatriation ceremonies was cast today.

Fundraisers raised about £26,000 to pay for the bell, including £9,000 given by the Oxford Mail's parent company.

The bell, measuring 31ins in diameter, was cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London.

It has been forging bells since the 15 century and was responsible for making Big Ben and the American Liberty Bell.

The bell will stand in the Memorial Garden in Norton Way, Carterton, as the bodies of fallen soldiers are brought back to RAF Brize Norton and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.