A MEMORIAL honouring the lives of the 11 men who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash has been unveiled.

A series of arches, each individually designed in tribute to the victims, opened to the public for the first time on Monday.

The 11 men died when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed mid-display and exploded into a fireball on the A27 in West Sussex on August 22 2015.

The memorial sits on the banks of the River Adur by the Shoreham Toll Bridge, which is near the crash site and became a focal point for mourners in the aftermath of the disaster.

The tribute was funded by donations and relatives were invited to pick the final design.

Artists David Parfitt and Jane Fordham hope it will be somewhere people can reflect on the tragedy.

The four-metre high stainless steel arches stand on a circular marble mosaic consisting of thousands of pieces next to a bench.

Reminiscent of the outline of the hull of a boat, the arches appear to change colour as they reflect the water, the artists said.

Lights suspended on reeds are also due to be installed on the opposite side of the river bank to be seen through the arches to complete the design.

Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council, which organised the project, said: “This tragedy affected the whole community. It is still very raw.

“The memorial is totally individual just like each of the people it represents.

“I hope the families get some sort of peace from this.”

The victims were: Maurice Abrahams, 76; Tony Brightwell, 53; Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt and Daniele Polito, all 23; Matt Jones, 24; Graham Mallinson, 72; Mark Reeves, 53; Dylan Archer, 42; Richard Smith, 26, and Mark Trussler, 54, who all lived in Sussex.

Ms Fordham and Mr Parfitt said the project had “totally consumed” them over the last two years and was close to their hearts as they were visiting the town at the time of the crash.

Pilot Andrew Hill was cleared of 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence after a trial at the Old Bailey earlier this year.

At the time relatives of the victims said they were devastated by the verdict.

An inquest into the deaths is anticipated to take place next year. ends