A MEMORIAL to commemorate the Merchant Navy looks set to be given the nod by a town council.The Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association has been raising money for two years to build an obelisk which they want to look out to sea.

A MEMORIAL to commemorate the Merchant Navy looks set to be given the nod by a town council.

The Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association has been raising money for two years to build an obelisk which they want to look out to sea.

The 15ft-tall light grey granite obelisk will commemorate the thousands of merchant seamen who lost their lives at sea both during wartime and peace.

It will be built with money raised by the Harwich and District Merchant Navy Association and the East Anglian Daily Times Forgotten Heroes Appeal.

Tomorrowthe plans go before the planning committee of Harwich Town Council, which will make a recommendation to Tendring District Council.

Harwich mayor Les Double said yesterdayhe expected the committee would give the plans unanimous support.

The Association wants to build the memorial on the Quay, at the end of Church Street. It 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 in peace and war and to all that go down to the sea in ships.”

Kate Wilson, the Association's secretary, said two monumental masons have been asked to supply a quote for the cost of making the obelisk.

If Tendring District Council gives planning permission for the memorial to be built on the quay, then the Association will go to structural builders for quotes for putting in the footings.

So far the joint appeal stands at just over £15,000, but Mrs Wilson asked for more donations.

A quiz night to raise money for the fund is being held at the Royal Oak pub, Dovercourt, on May 5, starting at 7.30pm and a table-top sale has been organised at the Royal British Legion hall, on May 8, starting at 10am. Tables, costing £5, can be booked from Mrs Wilson on 01255 506373.

Merchant seamen braved U-boats and mines to ferry vital supplies, including food, troops and raw materials, across the oceans, incurring heavy losses of life. The present Government established Merchant Navy Day, which is September 3, in 2000.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the appeal can send cheques made payable to the 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.