Appeal to 'adopt' 500 WWI graves

Volunteers can also research the history behind the graves

More people are needed to tend the 700 graves of soldiers from Gloucestershire who fought in the First World War.

The local branch of the Western Front Association (WFA) is appealing for volunteers to "adopt" a grave.

Tasks would include visiting the grave twice a year to ensure the headstone is maintained, the grass cut and to lay a poppy on Armistice Day.

Two-hundred of the graves have been adopted and the WFA say 500 graves remain available.

Baden Russell, who looks after graves in St Mary's churchyard in Prestbury, Cheltenham, said: "Basically you need to go to the graves periodically and make sure they are being maintained.

"The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do in fact pay local churches to maintain their graves to a certain standard.

"We would also like to know the history behind those buried - so if they wanted, volunteers could also research biographical information."