A NEW £10,000 memorial is being planned to remember Port Glasgow’s World War One heroes.

Councillors are being asked to consider funding a project to relocate the Toll Boys plaque from 5 Robert Street to the former Toll House site.

It would be added to a newly-erected memorial which is planned for the site.

The plaque carries the names of 29 young men who perished in the conflict.

Each year the Toll Boys feature prominently in the local Remembrance Day programme.

A service is held at the plaque and wreaths are laid there to honour the local men who paid the ultimate price for their country.

Ronald Wilson, chairman of the Kindred Clubs of Port Glasgow, is spearheading the project and has written to Provost Robert Moran asking for his support.

Mr Wilson said: “The memorial is in honour of the young men, all of whom were unemployed, who spent their days at the Toll House repairing furniture to help others in the local community and who laid down their lives for their country during World War One.

“We feel that it is fitting that a memorial be placed to them on the site of the Old Toll House, and that we honour the memory of not only these young lads, but also those local men and women who have laid down their lives in subsequent conflicts.” The plans will be considered at a Municipal Buildings meeting on Thursday.

A report to councillors says: “A memorial plaque in memory of the men who lost their lives in World War One is currently housed on the tenement wall of a property in Robert Street, Port Glasgow.

“The Kindred Clubs have requested that the council support the erection of a monument and the re-positioning of the Toll Boys’ plaque on the newly-erected memorial at the site of the former Toll House, which they estimate will cost in the region of £10,000.” Mr Wilson says he has gained support for the project from Depute Provost and planning board chairman, Councillor David Wilson, who represents the council at the annual Toll Boys Remembrance service.

He said: “We wish to re-site the memorial on the site of the Toll House and have the support of Councillor Wilson, who is prepared to be our liaison with Inverclyde Council regarding planning issues.”