PLANS to install a memorial statue in honour of the county’s only Victoria Cross recipient have been submitted.

The statue will be a permanent tribute to Lance Corporal Allan Leonard Lewis, Herefordshire’s only county-born recipient of the award, who was posthumously recognised for his bravery during the First World War.

Born in Whitney-on-Wye, the war hero was killed in September 1918 at Rossnoy in France during the Battle of Épehy, aged 23 years old.

The brave Lance Corporal was killed while getting his men to safety under intense machine-gun fire.

Allan Lewis’ parents were presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in April 1919.

The bronze statue will stand in the public, open space adjacent to the Old Market shopping centre at the junction between New Market Street and Blueschool Street on Garrick Lane, according to the planning application.

The statue will be cast in bronze and the base will be made from stone.

The plan was submitted by the AL Lewis Memorial Fund, led by his great niece, Dawn Lewis.

Dawn said: "We would like to thank Herefordshire Council for their continued support, the Old Market shopping centre for agreeing to host the statue and our sculptor Jemma Pearson for taking on the commission.

"Our gratitude also goes out to everyone who has already donated to the campaign; your generosity and support has been heartwarming."

She added: "I personally will forever be in debt to my team of volunteers who listened to my idea, believed in it, and have given their time and energy to ensure its success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The statue will be unveiled on September 21, the centenary of Allan Lewis' death.

To make a donation to the fund, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/lewisvcmemorial/lewisvcmemorialfund