THEIR names were first inscribed 90 years ago to immortalise the ultimate sacrifice they made for their country. But time has taken its toll on Southampton’s Cenotaph. Weathering has dissolved the limestone monument in Watt’s Park, leaving many of the 1,997 names in danger of fading forever.

After months of weighing up their options, heritage chiefs have now revealed the cost of re-engraving them will be too high.

Instead they are considering building a wall of remembrance to replicate the names of the city’s First World War dead on the Portland stone memorial.

Southampton City Council came up with the idea after deciding it was “unlikely” to be able afford the full restoration of the Cenotaph.

A condition survey by restoration experts Taylor Pearce put the repair bill for re-engraving all the names, at about £7 a letter, together with other repointing and deep cleaning at £300,000.

Other alternatives could see white slabs laid around the Cenotaph bearing the names of its war heroes and a book of remembrance kept at the Civic Centre.

Cabinet member for culture and leisure Councillor John Hannides said the wall would be erected next to the Cenotaph.

He said: “The wall would need to be of sufficient height and width to accommodate engraving all the names and in keeping with the Cenotaph itself. It would be something that maintains the integrity of the Cenotaph.”

It is understood the cost would need to be kept below £100,000 as the cash-strapped council struggles to fill a £13m budget hole.

Cllr Hannides said: “We need to look carefully at what provision we can make within the budget, taking into account the massive constraints we are working under.”

He said the options being considered were more affordable, easier to maintain and would be more accessible for people to read.

Cllr Hannides insisted the council would continue to clean and maintain the Cenotaph as a monument and focal point for remembrance services.

The Royal British Legion had said it was shameful that the city council, which is now responsible for the Cenotaph, had allowed it to erode.

But Southampton Branch Secretary Archie Parsons, said the council proposals were a “positive step”.

“I certainly wouldn’t support not doing anything. We want to see something done with the Cenotaph.

“But we all know the financial situation throughout he country.

“If the wall is a possibility with all the names in more durable stone, I think that would be well-supported, provided the Cenotaph is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

“Some of the names are high up on the Cenotaph. A wall would probably make it easier for families to read the names.”

Jack Candy, of the City of Southampton Society, said he would support the wall as a “reasonable” alternative to the costly full restoration of the Cenotaph. “I would support it provided the names were easily readable and the material used was durable and easily cleanable in case yobbos put graffiti on it,” he said.

C Langford & Son Monumental Masons, of Fareham, recommended a granite wall with sandblasted relief lettering – in blue, red, grey or “black marble” - as a maintenance-free solution.

The Cenotaph, which was unveiled and dedicated on November 6, 1920, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and inspired the design of the one in London’s Whitehall.

It was paid for by donations from local businesses and private individuals.

The council says it spends around £5,000 a year on the upkeep of the Cenotaph, which is cleaned before each Remembrance Sunday.

A spokesman for English Heritage said: “It is really important for war memorial inscriptions to be legible so that members of the public, family and friends can remember the people who were lost in the two great world wars and other conflicts.

“English Heritage, the Wolfson Foundation and War Memorials Trust operate a joint grant scheme for the repair and conservation of England’s war memorials, including work to improve the legibility of inscriptions. We would be happy to consider an application from Southampton City Council. The War Memorials Trust are in discussion with the city council about this and we look forward to the next step.”