MILFORD Haven’s Belgian war memorial will benefit from a facelift in time for events to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Pembrokeshire County Council has appointed a specialist firm of monument masons to carry out restoration work on the memorial, which overlooks the haven.

The work, which started last week, was prompted by a chance meeting between Milford Haven town councillor Tony Eden and a Belgian man who was visiting the town.

Cllr Eden said the visitor, who had been taking pictures of the memorial, had expressed sadness at its state of repair, and that the names on it were very hard to read.

The matter was referred to the county council, which is now busy repairing the stonework and the lettering, and refurbishing some damaged kerbs around the memorial base.

The work is expected to take two weeks, and is funded through the county council’s maintenance budget.

Cllr Eden said it was “excellent news” that the memorial, which was donated in recognition of the help that the people of Milford Haven gave to the Belgians during the First World War, was to be repaired.

“Considering we’re coming up to the anniversary of the start of First World War, it’s very timely,” he added.