A war memorial has been given Grade II listed status as part of a scheme to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The Iden village war memorial, near Rye in Rother Distric,t has been given the status by English Heritage as they plan to list up to 500 war memorials a year during the next five years in memory of the war. The 92-year-old memorial was proposed for listing by a War Memorials Trust volunteer.

The granite wheel cross stands at the centre of the village on land donated by a resident.

It was designed by architect Claude Kay and unveiled by Major General Young, colonel of the Royal Sussex Regiment, in 1921.

It originally listed the names of 359 local men and boys who lost their lives during the war.

After the Second World War more names were added, including that of a civilian woman killed in the blitz.

Before the commemoration scheme, 13 memorials in East Sussex and eight in West were listed. Earlier this year, Carfax war memorial in Horsham was also granted listed status.

The listing scheme is backed by Culture Secretary Sajid Javid.

He said: “Over a million Britons lost their lives in the First World War.

“It’s important that their sacrifice is not forgotten.

“The lessons learnt during that time are as resonant now as they were then.

“The centenary programme aims to bring us together more closely as a nation to honour the lives and bravery of all those who served.

“War memorials are a valued part of our heritage and it is absolutely fitting that we cherish and preserve them for future generations.”

For details on getting a memorial listed or repaired, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/ caring/first-world-war-home-front/remembrance.