A 'UNIQUE' village war memorial is in need of urgent repair work to protect the names of the fallen.

Magor's cenotaph will be cleaned, repaired and protected from further deterioration under plans submitted to Monmouthshire council.

The focal point of the village square, it was built in 1924 as a tribute to local residents who died during the First World War.

The memorial was a gift from Sybil Viscountess Rhondda and her daughter the Viscountess Rhondda of Llanwern Park.

It also serves as a memorial to Sybil Viscountess Rhondda's husband, the Viscount Rhondda, who was the food controller to the nation during the First World War.

Beverly Cawley, Magor with Undy Community Council clerk, said it is a "unique monument" as it pays tribute to someone who did not fight in the war but who played a vital role introducing the rationing sytem.

The memorial is in need of urgent work to protect its future, Magor with Undy Community Council says.

The community council has applied for grant funding from Cadw of £9,590 towards the work.

It is estimated the total cost will be around £22,000, with the work planned to start in June, taking up to around four weeks to complete.

"Unless the monument is repaired and protected then it will continue to deteriorate, and the names of the fallen carved into the stone planes will be lost," a heritage impact assessment says.

As well as cleaning and repair work, two panels could be replaced in their original style under the plans.

Work also includes removing vegetation from the roof, work to preserve a bronze medallion and some repainting and repointing.

"This would solve the immediate issues, and also to a certain extent resolve the issue of losing the inscriptions on the panel that is currently too damaged to repair," the heritage statement says.

"A follow up maintenance programme would ensure the monument is kept in good repair for future generations."

The plans warn that 'doing nothing' would risk further deterioration and that eventually the memorial could become "an eyesore" in the centre of the square.

The area would be fenced off, and the public refused access, for safety reasons while the work is carried out.