A SPECIAL ceremony is being held to mark the centenary of Knutsford & District War Memorial.

Various commemoration events are planned to mark 100 years since the former cottage hospital opened.

The memorial on Northwich Road opened in August 1922.

Local landowner and Freemason Cuthbert Leicester Warren, of Tabley Hall, created the former cottage hospital as a First World War memorial.

Knutsford Guardian: Residents gather at the former cottage hospitalResidents gather at the former cottage hospital

Residents are invited to a community re-dedication at 10am on Sunday, May 1.

The service will be led by Rev Alex Bradley of Knutsford Unitarian Chapel.

Cheshire East Council approved a scheme by McCarthy and Stone for 46 retirement apartments to be built on the site three years ago.

Campaigner Charlotte Peters Rock, who has been fighting to save the memorial since the cottage hospital closed in 1990, said: “It was and is our community war memorial.

"Because of the continuing threat of demolition, plans cannot be made too far into the future.

Knutsford Guardian: Knutsford & District War Memorial as it used to lookKnutsford & District War Memorial as it used to look

“This event is to remember those local young men who died as a result of wars and to honour 100 unbroken years of volunteers and fundraisers whose determination has given this community a cause for great comfort, hope and gratitude.”

Residents of 18 parishes continue to raise funds for the memorial.

"For nearly a century, that fundraising has never stopped," said Charlotte.

"This is our communal property and history. No-one has the right to touch it."

A book of commemoration will be open.