War memorial will be restored to former glory

The memorial, next to the York city wall, has become discoloured

A 100-year-old war memorial, which has become stained, dirty and discoloured, is to be cleaned up.

The North Eastern Railway War Memorial, on Station Rise in York, was unveiled in 1924, but its stonework has become heavily soiled by water damage, lichen and pollution.

The memorial includes the names of 2,787 men who lost their lives in the two world wars.

Network Rail said the monument would benefit from low-pressure steam cleaning and repairs to stonework and mortar.

The memorial, which stands next to the city wall, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

It was built close to the head office of the North Eastern Railway, which is now the Grand Hotel.

When completed, it honoured 2,236 men from the railway company who fought and died in World War One.

A further 15 slate panels were added after World War Two, with the names of 551 men who lost their lives, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The restoration plan has been approved by City of York Council.

A report said the appearance of the memorial had "deteriorated in recent years", and warned that algae and lichens, while not necessarily harmful, "could be disfiguring".

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