Workers at Banbury's doomed SAPA aluminium factory are appealing to save the firm's war memorial.

The call to protect the monument from the bulldozers comes as staff and retired employees prepare for this year's remembrance service.

The memorial stands in a garden at the Southam Road factory and contains the names of 41 workers who died serving their country in World War II.

Prayers will be said tomorrow (Friday November 9) in memory of those killed - a service that has taken place every year since 1945.

The closure of the factory, and the loss of 337 jobs, was announced last week.

John Rakestraw, safety engineer at SAPA, said: "Closing the factory will tear the heart out of the town, but bulldozing the remembrance garden will break the hearts of war widows, their sons and daughters, and their former workmates."

He added: "The war memorial is part of the factory and part of the town's history."

Town mayor Kieron Mallon said: "I have already taken up this cause and I hope the garden can be retained to keep alive the memories of employees who lost their lives in the war."

Company director Andy McLaughlin said: "I cannot make guarantees but we will try to show sympathy and respect for this very important site, and we will work with other agencies to try to preserve this landmark or find another home for it."