A BARRY sailor is leading the campaign to get the Portland Stone War Memorial on Holton Road restored to its former glory.

Homer Wenderling, of Dudley Place, was instrumental in having the memorial erected in remembrance of the fallen merchant seamen from Barry.

The memorial, situated in front of the Civic Offices, commemorates the part that merchant seamen played in both World Wars and other conflicts.

But the memorial is in a desperate need of repair, just seven years after it was built

"It is in a disgusting state," said Mr Wenderling.

"It's green and slowly falling to pieces. They wouldn't let this happen to the cenotaph."

A former Merchant Seaman himself, Mr Wenderling was part of the Kings Square Action Group who originally lobbied the council for a memorial to be built. He insisted: "There are more merchant seaman in Barry than any town in Britain."

Mr Wenderling says he has been campaigning for two years to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for them to do something about the war memorial, but has had no response.

He said: "These men gave their lives, and the memorial remembers them for it. Now the council's just deserted it.

A spokesperson for the Vale council said: "The council is seeking expert advice on the performance of the natural stone and this will, hopefully, lead to the setting up of an appropriate and regular maintenance regime."

However, Mr Wenderling is not convinced by the council's claim, adding: "They have said that they will do something, but whether they will or not I don't know.

"I'll believe it when I see it!"