MEMBERS of the public are being invited to help with the annual cleaning of the war memorial in Billericay prior to Remembrance Sunday.
On Thursday, November 8, at 10am, members of Billericay Town Council and representatives of the Royal British Legion will be carrying out a general cleaning of the Billericay war memorial, at the junction of Chapel Street and the High Street.
Suckers from the two lime trees growing next to it and the moss and leaves from the memorials will also be cleaned away.
The work is part of the annual maintenance programme and is undertaken prior to the Remembrance Day parade on Sunday, November 11.
Mik Dunn, secretary of the Billericay Royal British Legion, said: "We have to cut back the branches, clean up the leaves and give it a good scrub.
"We've done it every year since I can remember."
Remembrance Sunday, which this year falls on Armistice Day, is being commemorated with two services, the first at 7am and the second at 11am.
Mr Dunn added: "Last year we had about 1,000 people attending the service. It looks like we are growing year on year."
In addition to organising the annual memorial service, the Royal British Legion raises millions of pounds each year – last year a record £40 million was raised nationally. Billericay branch raised £31,000 in 2011 with 66 volunteers.
Mr Dunn added: "We don't talk numbers until it's all finished."