Lest we forget

Graham Baker spent two days replacing more than 1,000 gold letters on the Steyne Gardens tribute that had faded after years exposed to the elements.

The seafront memorial was erected to remember 26 local fallen heroes who died during the Second Boer War (1899-1902).

Mr Baker, 37, who lives in St Lawrence Avenue, said he volunteered to "sprouse up" the statue after walking past it with his dog, Bailey.

He said: "People in Worthing have been very kind to me and I just thought it was a way of saying thank you. It looked a bit dull sat on the sea front there and I wanted to brighten it up a bit."

Mr Baker, who served as a gunner in the Territorial Army in the Sussex Yeomanry, said gold leaf lettering should be replaced every 10 years.

He added: "It needed to be done and the council haven't got that kind of money. When I finished, the sun was shining and when I drove away it really stood out, which felt brilliant after all that hard work."