Plans for the first of two new war memorials honouring the fallen in a Stoke-on-Trent town have been unveiled.

The Kilngate Memorial to the Royal Doulton Fallen - set to be installed in Burslem - recognises the lives of 59 Royal Doulton workers who died in the First and Second World Wars.

It is intended the memorial will be installed in central Burslem, looking towards Nile Street, the route many of the workers would have taken as they left for service.

Mike Lightfoot, who leads the Kilngate Memorial Project, said: "This is the first of two memorials that will bring together Burslem's industrial history and its wartime story.

"Those fifty-nine on The Kilngate Memorial were local people who worked at Royal Doulton and went on to serve their country and are to be the first of more than 1,600 names who will eventually recognised and remembered.

"Thanks to the support of local businesses, skilled crafts people, and dedicated researchers we are able to return this memorial and the forthcoming Burslem Remembers a named memorial to Burslem's 1,600 Fallen to the heart of the town, where it belongs."

The original memorial once stood on the former Royal Doulton site but was lost when the factory closed and the area was redeveloped.

A community-led project, sponsored by St Modwen and Miller Homes, has brought the memorial back to life and will return it permanently to the heart of Burslem.

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Meighs & Westleys Ltd is producing the bronze panels and Tailored Stone the Portland Stone surround and memory stone.

Stoke-on-Trent sculptor Andy Edwards, whose work includes the Lemmy statue, has contributed to the bronze design.

Research supporting the memorial has been led by volunteer researchers Ruth Butler and Rob Price, who have dedicated more than a year to uncovering the stories behind the names.

Community outreach linked to the project is being delivered by The New Vic Borderlines and The Port Vale Foundation, supported by Hon. H.M.T. Gibson and Fiskars Ltd.

Councillor Steve Watkins, Armed Forces Champion at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "This memorial is an important part of Burslem's history and Stoke-on-Trent's wider story.

"Restoring and creating them ensures that future generations understand the contribution and sacrifice made by local people.

"It will give Burslem a lasting place of remembrance and ensure these workers who served their country and never returned home are never forgotten."

The Burslem Remembers" memorial is due to be unveiled next year.

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Further research is continuing to trace relatives and family connections to those named on the memorial.

For more information on the project, visit the website here.