A campaigning weekly has been praised after a war memorial it helped raise funds for was opened.

The Rotherham Advertiser decided to campaign for a memorial to a thousand people from its patch who lost their lives in the Second World War after learning of how campaigners were struggling to raise funds for an adequate tribute.

The campaigners had been pressing local authorities for years but when the story was published, readers were quick to donate £30,000 to the cause.

The memorial was unveiled to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in a special dedication service in the town’s Clifton Park, attended by representatives from various regiments.

The opening of the new memorial

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley added: “When the campaigners first came to see us about giving them some publicity it suddenly seemed incredible that Rotherham had no such memorial 70 years on from the end of the war.

“They only wanted a bit in the paper but it was worth much more than that.

“Now, thanks to the generosity of Rotherham people those who gave their lives will never be forgotten.

“It shows that when a newspaper chooses a campaign that touches hearts, people will respond and show their support and they did by raising the £30,000 needed.”

Terry Knight, of the Fellowship of the Services, who led the fight for the memorial, said on Wednesday: “Today we see the result of a long campaign to recognise the sacrifices of those whose names appear on this magnificent memorial in beautiful surroundings.

“It is a most fitting tribute and will be here for future generations and we would not have been able to do it without the Rotherham Advertiser.”