TWO new life-size servicemen statues will greet residents taking part in Atherton’s Remembrance Day parade.

The wartime figures made from wicker have been fitted by the Atherton Cenotaph Memorial Project (ACMP) either side of the path leading to the town’s memorial garden.

The work at Atherton Cenotaph on Leigh Road has been completed in time for the annual parade in tribute to fallen war heroes.

ACMP is run in conjunction with Atherton’s branches of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Navy Association.

Peter Powell, secretary of the town's Royal British Legion, said: “We have had nothing but positive feedback about the statues since they were installed.

"Without the support of the public none of the work we do would be able to be completed.

"I would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Poppy Appeal again."

The next phase of the project will see a wicker sculpture representing the Royal Air Force placed near the memorial.

There are also plans to have a lectern fitted at Atherton Cenotaph detailing its history and another placed at the town’s cemetery listing the war graves there.

The recent work has been paid for by councillors' Brighter Borough allocation and other fundraising events.

Stuart Gerrard, chairman of Atherton Residents Association, added: “The wicker statues are a great addition to the area, and as an ex-serviceman myself I am really proud of the work the Royal British Legion does in Atherton.

“We also have lots of poppies up around the town on railings and lamp posts, which is great.

“The town is really pulling together for our servicemen and women.”

Sunday’s parade will depart Atherton Collieries FC on Alder Street at 10.20am.

It will go to the Atherton Baptist Church memorial via High Street and Tyldesley Road and then to Atherton Cenotaph.

For the return journey, the parade will reassemble on Leigh Road and go around the cenotaph before being dismissed at Atherton Collieries.

Parades and services will also be held in Leigh, Tyldesley, Hindley, Lowton and Golborne.