FOUR open spaces in a city could be dedicated as Centenary Fields to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

The four sites, which fall under the jurisdiction of Brighton and Hove City Council, will be considered for the special status by its environment, transport and sustainability committee today.

Old Steine Gardens in Brighton, the Chattri Memorial on the South Downs north of Patcham, Easthill Park in Portslade and Patcham Peace Gardens are all being recommended.

The Centenary Fields initiative is a nationwide scheme led by the Royal British Legion and Fields In Trust, aimed at securing permanent recreational spaces in memory of the millions of people who lost their lives in the First World War.

The move to nominate sites in Brighton and Hove follows a full council meeting in July in which Old Steine Gardens, the Chattri Memorial, and Easthill Park were suggested. Residents in Patcham put forward the Patcham Peace Garden. All of the sites are owned by the council and already protected as public open spaces.

Dedicating them as Centenary Fields would give them further recognition as memorials.

Councillor Pete West said: “All these sites have a link with remembering and honouring those who died in conflicts.

“Dedicating them as Centenary Fields is a fitting way to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.”

Old Steine Gardens, the Chattri and Patcham Peace Gardens have all been memorials to the war since the early 1920s.

The Easthill Park memorial was moved to its current spot in 1954 from its previous location in Trafalgar Road.

In September, a commemorative stone and plaque was unveiled at the Old Steine memorial in memory of Captain Theodore Wright, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.

Coun West added: “This is one of a number of ways we are commemorating the anniversary in the city.”

In addition, an exhibition – War Stories: Voices For The First World War – runs at Brighton Museum until March and a permanent gallery at the Royal Pavilion charts the Regency palace’s history as a hospital for Indian soldiers.