Soldiers belonging to the Hertfordshire Regiment who fought and died in the First World War will be remembered on a “lasting memorial” in Belgium after a campaign by a history group.

Herts at War, which is tracing the history of soldiers from the county in the conflict, submitted proposals to the Belgian government last year.

They will now build a permanent memorial on the Western Front on the River Steenbeke, on the outskirts of St Julien, Ypres.

Dan Hill, project co-ordinator at Herts of War, said it will be unveiled on July 31, 2017 – 100 years to the day after the Battle of Passchendaele started.

He said: “It is an immense source of pride for everyone involved with Herts at War and with the project.

“The fact that 100 years on we can put down a lasting memorial for the people from Herts for years to come is fantastic.”

The memorial will be the only one in the world dedicated to the county’s regiment, and must be built in a similar style to other monuments in the area using bricks and brass plaques.

Herts at War is now asking members of the public to put forward their plans and ideas for the memorial.

“People can come forward with their suggestions,” said Dan.

“We want the public to be the ones to decide what it should look like, to commemorate their regiment.”

? To find out more about Herts at War, visit www.hertsatwar.co.uk or to submitt a suggestion email info@hertsatwar.co.uk