DUNSCAR war memorial could be made a listed building to protect it from housing developers.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, has made a personal plea to the Government's Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell asking her to bestow the status on the protected monument.

The move would prevent the structure being altered or being moved from its home of 80 years without approval from English Heritage.

It follows an attempt by Dunscar developer Stephen Fitton to relocate it 50 yards to the south of the site at the corner of Darwen Road and Blackburn Road, to make way for a housing development.

His plans were rejected by the planning committee after more than 280 people wrote to the council objecting to the move and 200 signed a petition calling for them to be thrown out.

Mr Crausby said: "The strength of feeling from the people of Bolton in support of the memorial has been overwhelming.

"They have provided detailed letters about family members who served in the armed forces and historic information and photographs about the memorial.

The Culture Secretary is to take advice from English Heritage on the site before making a decision.

D-day veteran Cecil Rogers believes the monument is deserving of listed status. The 85-year-old, of Windsor Road, Bromley Cross, said: "If something like this was in place when the last developer came along we would not have had to endure the fight we did."

Buildings and monuments can be listed because of their age, rarity, architectural merit or method of construction.

Council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson welcomed Mr Crausby's actions. She said: "As the land owner of this site we were against moving this memorial and any attempt to protect it must be a good thing.

"David is the right man to take on this because he has the minister's ear."