An historic war memorial has been protected for future generations after achieving special heritage status.

The monument in the churchyard of St Edmund's Church on The Street, Old Costessey, has been made a grade II listed structure by Historic England.

Built in 1920, it includes the names of 21 servicemen who died in the First World War and 19 men who died in the Second World War.

Tim East, who represents Costessey on Norfolk County Council, made the submission to Historic England to give the structure its protected status.

Mr East, a Costessey Royal British Legion member, said: 'The war memorial is part of our heritage. It remembers those who gave their lives in the two world wars and as such it should be recognised as a monument that should be preserved for posterity.'

The war memorial is owned by St Edmund's Church but on land managed by Costessey Town Council.