WORK has started on the £20,000 project to refurbish Bream Cenotaph.
The impressive monument to the village's war dead has been saved by public subscription and grants including the royalties from a book written by retired teacher Ian Hendy which told the stories of those who died in two world wars.
The book, 'Wenty's Sturty Bird' also tells the story of a youngster who lost his toy inside the monument when it was being constructed.
Mr Hendy says he is hopeful the toy will be recovered as the work progresses.
Part of the Cenotaph will be refaced and it will be capped and repointed to stop further deterioration.
The work is expected to take around 10 weeks.
On the completion of the work there will be a rededication ceremony and a celebration to mark the occasion.