MORE than 90 years after it was unveiled, a village war memorial has been given its first ever clean-up.

The memorial in Framsden, near Debenham, was restored and returned to its former glory by villagers before a dedication service was held yesterday.

David Whitmore, a trustee of local charity group Framsden Fundraisers, which helped to organise and pay for the work, said the service had been very well-attended.

There were 11 standard-bearers at the parish church and guests included Lord Tollemache, who made a short speech, and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Daniel Poulter.

Half of the �1,200 cost of the project has been covered by the War Memorial Trust, while Framsden Parish Council has also contributed.

Mr Whitmore said: “It has never, ever had a clean since it first went up in the 1920s – it’s almost a century.

“Somebody from the village researched all the dead soldiers and we put the information up on the parish hall wall today. There were 11 standard-bearers coming from all over the east of the region and we had the Royal British Legion Suffolk president, and they brought the Suffolk flag as well.

“It was a bit chilly but it [the service] wasn’t too long, so it worked out really well. And it was the biggest congregation of the year for the church.”

During his speech, Lord Tollemache said: “It was on October 31, 1921, nearly a century ago that this memorial was placed and unveiled, in memory of all those brave Suffolk boys, by Sir Arthur Churchman MP and it is especially good that our present MP Dr Daniel Poulter is here today and also Colonel Neil Moss from Wattisham is here, representing the Armed Forces.”

Lord Tollemache spoke about a cutting he had found from the East Anglian Daily Times reporting on the unveiling in 1921, which mentioned that his great, great aunt, Lady Mary Tollemache, was at the event.

He added: “I know that we all would wish to congratulate all who have been involved with this splendid project – it shows that we do still care and remember them.”