The campaign to erect a permanent memorial to the people of North Weald who gave their lives in the Battle of Britain has got off to a flying start.

Enthusiastic support by flying veterans, aviation enthusiasts and villagers comes as an impression of what the memorial could look like has been produced by graphic designer John Kay.

The appeal, backed by the Ongar and North Weald Gazette, was launched last week as a personal crusade by aviation enthusiast Arthur Moreton, a parish councillor and chairman of North Weald Airfield Museum Association.

He said: "The response from former flyers and the public has been wonderful and I am very encouraged.

"People have been ringing me to ask what they can do to help and John's design gives us something to focus on."

Mr Moreton wants the bronze and stone memorial to be erected on the green near Ad Astra House at the gates of the former Battle of Britain HQ.

It will not only commemorate the sacrifice of the 39 airmen killed in the battle, which changed the course of the war, but the victims who perished on the ground.

As Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris, chairman of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association, points out:

"Although only The Few were in actual combat the victory belonged to the whole British people."

Mr Moreton said: "It's very important that these people are also remembered.

"An unknown amount died as a result of hundreds of bombs dropped in Luftwaffe raids on North Weald in 1940, in married quarters, the officers' mess and even the Woolpack pub."

Former airman Bill Bond, chairman of the Battle of Britain Historical Society, said: It's a terrific idea.

"The events of the summer and autumn of 1940 have paled into insignificance and are not taught in schools any more.

"But without the heroism of people like those in North Weald we would all be enslaved now.

"They deserve a memorial of their own and the society will support Arthur Moreton in any way we can."

It is expected that the memorial will take the form of a three-dimensional bronze figure on a 4ft stone plinth which would contain the names of the dead.

Mr Kay's outline design, as yet just an idea, shows a Hurricane banking over the famous avenue of elms at North Weald with St Andrew's in the background.

Mr Moreton is appealing for craftspeople to help turn it into reality before the projected unveiling in June as the nation celebrates the battle's 60th anniversary.

He said: "It should be a lasting example of a community working together using skills plentiful in the 1940s but which now need nurturing into the new millennium."

Mr Moreton, of Bassett Gardens, North Weald, may be contacted on 01992 523010 or email: arthur1@btinternet.com

Lest we forget - an impression of what the North Weald memorial could look like.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.