THE appeal to raise money for a memorial to the city's World War One heroes has been given a major boost.

Bradford Civic Society is donating £500 to the Honour the Pals appeal, which will help fund a new memorial in France to the Bradford Pals killed at the Battle of the Somme.

Civic Society chairman Alan Hall had already publicly backed the cause and pledged money from his group.

But the society has since met to decide how much to donate.

Mr Hall said it was not a rich society and he had a figure of around £100 in mind, but members had been determined to contribute more.

He said: "They were unanimous and said, 'We need to give more than that. We will give £500.'"

The Telegraph & Argus has joined forces with Bradford Council to set up the appeal, with the support of the Bradford World War One Group.

People from across the district are being asked to donate to help pay for the memorial, which would hopefully be unveiled in a ceremony in France to mark the centenary of the start of the battle on July 1, 2016.

Mr Hall has written about the Bradford Pals, and the lack of a significant memorial to them in France, in his book, The Story of Bradford. It was this work which first inspired Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green to suggest the appeal.

Mr Hall said a proper memorial was long overdue.

He added: "Because of the interest generated in the First World War, we are getting school parties going over there and they will be saying, 'Where's the Bradford Pals memorial? Where's ours?'

"I have felt for some time that Bradford deserves to have a Bradford Pals memorial along with the other ones that are there."

The new memorial would also recognise the sacrifice made by local men from other battalions and regiments who fought and died in the First World War.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE HONOUR THE PALS APPEAL

Alternatively, to donate by post, send a cheque, payable to 'Honour the Pals Appeal', with your name and address and contact details to Honour the Pals Appeal, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, Bradford, BD1 1JR.

Anyone responding by post can also leave messages of dedication to the fallen soldiers by filling out the special section of the Honour The Pals Appeal coupon which is printed with this story.

The messages, to be of a maximum of 50 words, will be uploaded in the T&A's special Bradford At War section.