Plans for a commemorative "Diana Medal" and a memorial park are front runners among thousands of ideas being considered by Government advisers as the best way to honour the life of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Brown: "Physical monuments not the only way forward" (4'18'')

After the first meeting of the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial committee, the British Finance Minister, Gordon Brown said they had been "attracted" by the two suggestions.

With Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, at his side, the Chancellor said the committee would be looking in detail at the favoured schemes.

"Two things that we are attracted by are the proposal that there be a memorial garden at Kensington ... and giving some recognition to community service, particularly by young people," said Mr Brown.

The committee is to meet again next month and, in addition, charities linked to the Princess will be consulted.

Wide and varied ideas

At the end of the 90-minute Downing Street meeting, Mr Brown said the committee had received almost 10,000 suggestions for a permanent memorial to the Princess.

Individuals, schools, community groups, churches and voluntary organisations, in Britain and abroad, had written in with proposals to commemorate and continue Diana's work.

A garden of remembrance at Kensington Palace is among the ideas mooted

A £9m project to transform part of Kensington Gardens, which became the focus of national mourning after Diana's death, into a memorial park has already received widespread support.

A Diana Medal, awarded for outstanding acts of compassion and community service, would reflect the Princess's personal commitment to those in need.

Other proposals from the public have included hospitals or a network of hospices across the country, bearing Diana's name.

Renaming the Severn Crossing in Wales to the Diana, Princess of Wales Crossing, and building a new footbridge across the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge have also been put forward.

The idea of a national public holiday, "The Diana Day", is understood to have received a cool response from the Government. A proposal that the Bank Holiday should be on July 1, the Princess's birthday, is considered "unworkable".

Tory leader William Hague wants Heathrow Airport renamed after Diana

The 10-member committee, which includes Lady Sarah and the Princess of Wales's butler Paul Burrell, is likely to discuss schemes for the renaming of national monuments, such as Tory leader William Hague's suggestion that London's Heathrow Airport should be renamed after the Princess.

There is also thought to be public support for a picture of Diana's head to appear on bank notes and a special issue of coins.
 

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