MEMORIALS to two Forest Victoria Cross heroes are to benefit from a £100,000 fund announced by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

The money will enable the restoration of memorials to holders of the Victoria Cross across the country.

The project aims to restore all of the graves in need of repair with headstones being cleaned or replaced.

Among them will be those to Angus Buchanan who is buried in Coleford cemetery and Francis Miles who lies in St Peter's Church, Clearwell.

Temporary Captain Buchanan of the South Wales Borderers twice risked his life to rescue two wounded men in Mesopotamia in 1916.

A fund was raised in Coleford to mark his bravery which he asked to go to establishing the recreation ground that bears his name.

Captain Buchanan, a former head boy of Monmouth School, died in 1944 aged 49.

Private Miles of the Gloucestershire Regiment was awarded the country's highest military decoration for putting two German machine guns out of action in France in 1918. He survived the war, dying aged 65 in 1961.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "As these men were honoured then for their extreme bravery on the battlefields, they should be honoured still.

"That is why I am privileged to offer more than £100,000 towards this project to ensure that their final resting places are venerated memorials where communities can pay their respects and learn about their local heroes.

"This will make sure the graves of our Victoria Cross heroes become places to reflect on their selfless service to the nation. Alongside the creation of commemorative paving stones we will create a fitting tribute to honour these heroes."

•The annual Clearwell flower festival will honour the 60 men from the village who served in the First World War – including the 13 who did not return.

It takes place on Sunday, May 4 and Bank Holiday Monday from 10.30am. There will also be a service of commemoration at the St Peter's Church on Sunday at 6.30pm which will include children from Clearwell School.