Now the new Celtic cross-style memorial is in pride of place in the rose garden in the village centre for all to see and is the result of a fund-raising effort.

Villager Mr Simon Mount put forward the idea of a memorial during his research into Sabden's war dead for his website listing men who died fighting for their country.

The idea was taken up by Mr Antony Haworth who launched a campaign after carrying out public consultation to see what the public wanted, with the support of the parish council. The type of memorial and siting of it also went out to public consultation and a fund-raising campaign was launched and is still ongoing.

Numerous events were organised and donations given, along with grants from Ribble Valley Borough Council, Bowland Tourism Environment Fund, Padiham Life and the Forest of Bowland Community Rural Futures.

A War Memorial Trust committee was set up led by Mr Haworth, as chairman, Mr Mount, Mrs Frances Haworth, Mrs Christine Cartwright and Mr Bernard Parfitt, who spearheaded the campaign.

A group of villagers did the preparation work on the site and work was carried out by Ramsbottom craftsmen Richard Nuttall of Lancashire Stone Cutters and Andrew Rothwell of Andrew Rothwell Ltd, who installed the memorial.

Mr Haworth added: "It is impossible to thank everyone who has been involved but the open handedness of some of our village residents has been astounding and the trust thank them."

The fund-raising is continuing so more improvements can be carried out on the site.