MEMBERS of the Otterbourne community came together on Friday (October 25) to begin work for next year’s World War One commemorations.

The war memorial at St Matthew’s Church on Main Road was restored and cleaned by Southern Water and Clancy Docwra in preparation to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1.

MP Steve Brine, who attended the brief ceremony, said: “Otterbourne is a thriving community so I am not surprised they're making such an effort to mark next year's centenary.

“In many ways 2014 will be a terribly sad commemoration but the spruce up being given to war memorials across our country, including here in Otterbourne, is something really positive. I look forward to going back to see the finished product.”

Parish Council chair, Will Jones, said: “Our contact at Southern Water managed to get them to support us to put curbing round the church side of the memorial.

“We’re going to landscape it over the next few weeks in time for next year’s events.”