THE Square in Holsworthy has been without benches for almost a year, but that may soon change.

After continued mis-use the town council took the decision to remove the benches, which were previously sited around the water pump in the Square for over 20 years.

Town clerk Vanessa Saunders said: “People have said ‘can we have the benches back’. They are missed in the town.

“I did a bit of investigating but then the Royal British Legion approached us and asked if they could put a World War Two commemorative bench — similar to the World War One bench in the parish church grounds — next to the pump. I said it was a jolly good idea but have not had a response from them yet about how much that one would cost.”

Ms Saunders proposed that the council have two other benches crafted, which are the same make and style as the Royal British Legion’s commemorative bench. These would be sited either side of the new WW2 commemorative bench in a crescent formation around three sides of the water pump.

Cllr John Sanders asked: “Why can’t we have three and put one on each side of the water pump?”

Cllr John Allen said this wouldn’t be possible, as access to the pump would need to be maintained. He then enquired about the plaques that were previously displayed on the wooden benches.

Ms Saunders said she hadn’t forgotten the plaques and thought it would be nice to ‘display them on a nice piece of wood’.

Cllr Allen asked if they could be displayed on the water pump and Cllr Sanders suggested they could be put on the ‘blank’ side of the pump that will not have a bench. This was agreed by councillors.

The cost for both benches will be £1,497.

Ms Saunders said Torridge District Councillor for the Holsworthy ward Ian Parker had offered £380 from his council funding to go towards the cost of the two new benches.

Ms Saunders said she would also be contacting other bodies for funding.

Cllr Sanders added that he thought it was a good idea ‘subject to the British Legion doing their bench’.