CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a permanent war memorial at Lydiard Park’s Walled Garden following the huge success of the field of remembrance.

The field, officially opened by Prince Harry earlier this month, has been planted with hundreds of miniature crosses marking the sacrifices of British Armed Forces personnel.

But the Royal British Legion, which organised the temporary memorial, is to clear it away on Sunday, November 21.

Now resident, Martin Ellis, 49 – supported by both Swindon’s MPs – has launched a Facebook petition urging Swindon Council to turn the garden into a permanent memorial.

He said: “There is a tremendous network of families and friends who don’t really have a point of reference other than their own personal grave or memorial.

“And this place gives them a place to visit and to remember.

We are in a very central location for people to be able to visit – whether those people are from the UK or abroad.

“I had the opportunity to go to the field of remembrance and I would personally want to go there again to pay my respects at a memorial.

“I think through Facebook we have an opportunity to show our support for something and hopefully people will look up and listen and make it happen.”

Mr Ellis, whose late father Terry was a captain in the Army, came up with the idea for a permanent memorial after visiting the field of remembrance on Sunday with his girlfriend Lynne Parker, 40, and stepson Daniel Keech, ten.

The Abbey Meads resident says a memorial could be put up in the garden, which could be planted to reflect the seasons.

He claims that there could also be an area where people could continue planting miniature crosses and a book of remembrance where people could record the names of the fallen.

Mr Ellis plans to present the idea to Swindon Council, which owns Lydiard Park, but if money is unavailable due to the recession then he hopes to use the public support demonstrated in the petition to secure funding from other sources.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, and North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson pitched the idea to council leader Rod Bluh and to Coun Nick Martin, a member of the Lydiard Park management committee.

Mr Buckland said: “The experience of having been there when Prince Harry dedicated it was an extremely moving and intense experience and one which I know was shared by many people at the event.”

Mr Tomlinson said: “I think in principle it was an excellent idea and I suggested that they sit down with Swindon Borough Council and those responsible for Lydiard Park to make sure they are working towards an appropriate monument.”

A council spokesman said: “Putting up a memorial or making the garden of remembrance more permanent is something we would support in principle, but there will have to be discussions with the British Legion, Wiltshire Council and the residents of Wootton Bassett.”

To sign the petition log on to ww.facebook.com and search for Lydiard Park garden of remembrance.