Standing in many towns and villages, they are the solemn tributes to those who marched off to war, never to return.

But decades after they were built, many of our war memorials require loving care and attention, while the stories of the men whose names they feature need recording.

Now, a project has been launched in the Waveney Valley to do just that.

Groups from the area's towns and villages are being encouraged to identify and record the conditions of their local war memorials, and investigate ways to find funding for their conservation and repairs.

It is being co-ordinated by Civic Voice, a national charity which has linked up Historic England, the Imperial War Museums and the War Memorials Trust.

The organisations formed a partnership after the government announced £5m of funding in July 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, with £3m of that funding going towards helping communities repair and conserve their memorials.

In the Waveney Valley, the charity has organised a workshop to provide information to those interested in taking part.

The event, on March 19 in Pulham St Mary, will see members from Waveney Valley Community Archaeology Group giving advice.

Andrew MacDonald, from the group, said: 'The ambition is that as we head towards the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day on November 11, 2018 we can ensure that all our war memorials are in the best possible condition to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War, a war which was one of the pivotal events of the last thousand years of our history.'

The workshop at the Pennoyer Centre in Pulham St Mary starts at 10am. To book a place call 01379 855096 or visit waveneyarchaeology.org

Are you involved in a project to remember the First World War? Email anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk