Forces memorial opens to visitors

The memorial was designed by architect Liam O'Connor

The new national Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire has officially opened to the public.

The £6m stone circle at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, bears the names of 16,000 service personnel who have died since World War II.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales attended the dedication of the new memorial on 12 October.

There is room for 15,000 more names to be carved on the Portland stone walls.

Charlie Baggott-Jewitt, who is in charge of the arboretum, said the new memorial was a "focus for the more recent generations".

The memorial, designed by architect Liam O'Connor, honours those killed in combat and training as well as by acts of terrorism.

During the consultation period prior to the memorial's creation, a decision was taken to make it accessible to all communities in the UK and the central location in Staffordshire was then chosen.