MERCHANT Navy veterans are celebrating coming a step closer to building a memorial to commemorate their fallen comrades.Kate Wilson, secretary of the Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association, learnt yesterday the group's planning application to build a 15ft obelisk on Harwich quay has been passed.

MERCHANT Navy veterans are celebrating coming a step closer to building a memorial to commemorate their fallen comrades.

Kate Wilson, secretary of the Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association, learnt yesterday the group's planning application to build a 15ft obelisk on Harwich quay has been passed.

Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association, in conjunction with the East Anglian Daily Times, have been raising money to build a memorial in Harwich for two years.

Now Tendring District Council has backed the plans, which were given the full support of Harwich Town Council.

The 15ft light grey granite obelisk is to be built on the quay at the bottom of Church Street, so it can be seen from at sea.

The obelisk will be decorated with the Merchant Navy badge and a wave. There will also be an inscription, to read: "To the glory of God in gratitude for the courage and will to serve others by seafarers of the Merchant Navy both in peace and war and to all that go down to the sea in ships."

Mrs Wilson said: "I've spoken to all my committee members today to let them know the good news. I'm sure everybody's going to be thrilled to bits. I'm delighted. It's a really good bit of news."

Mrs Wilson is now awaiting estimates for the memorial and for the construction of the footings it will need.

The EADT and Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association Forgotten Heroes appeal now stands at about £15,000, but Mrs Wilson said more is still needed.

The appeal was launched to honour the seamen of the Merchant Navy, who were the forgotten heroes of the Second World War, playing a crucial part, but without the recognition afforded to the three Armed Services.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the appeal can send cheques made payable to the East Anglian Daily Times, to EADT Forgotten Heroes Appeal, East Anglian Daily Times, Fairfax House, Causton Road, Colchester, CO1 1RJ.

Supporters can also pay money directly into HSBC, in North Station Road, Colchester, to the Forgotten Heroes account, sort code 40-18-51, account 01236660.