CREATIVE youngsters have been putting their skills to good use by creating a memorial to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Rammy Rocks fever has swept the borough over the last year after the craze was started by Ramsbottom parents, Sigrid van Den Brand and Helen Idle.

The idea was to get children to paint and varnish stones before hiding them for others to discover in an attempt to encourage youngsters to become more active and creative, as well as spending more time with their family.

And youngsters are now using their skills to create the memorial, which will be unveiled at Nuttall Park, in Ramsbottom, on Sunday, November 4.

The project was the brainchild of Royal Navy veteran Steve Butterworth, who became involved in Rammy Rocks after helping his granddaughter paint rocks and hide them.

Last November, while painting poppies with the names of Ramsbotttom’s First World War dead, Mr Butterworth had the idea for a 100th anniversary memorial, using rocks painted by children and elderly people from Ramsbottom.

With the help of Ms Van Den Brand, and Gemma Lievesley, Mr Butterworth has encouraged children from schools across Ramsbottom, as well contributors to the Rammyrocks Facebook page, to design rocks, which will be set in cement next week to create the memorial.

Mr Butterworth says he wanted to create something permanent to commemorate the signing of the armistice 100 years ago, as well as leaving a lasting legacy to Rammy Rocks.

He added: "I did this to try and create a link between the youth of yesterday, who were so tragically caught up in the horrors of the First World War, the youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

"What a wonderful thing, for a child of Ramsbottom to be able to stand with their own grandchildren at the memorial and say, 'that’s mine, that’s what we created'."

As well as the array of designs, the memorial will also feature a centrepiece rock, bearing a plaque containing information about it.

A time capsule with the names and photos of all contributors will also be included, with instructions at the archive office, for it to be exhumed on or as near to the 200th anniversary as possible.

Following a dedication service at 10.15am, there will be a small display of World War information and veterans organisations in the tea room, as well as rock painting for youngsters.

Any funds raised on the day will go towards Broughton House in Manchester.