CAMPAIGNERS in Burnley are raising funds for a memorial to honour men and women from north-east Lancashire who fought in the International Brigades during the Spanish civil war.

A meeting will be held at Burnley town hall on Tuesday August 27 at 6pm to discuss the proposed memorial to those from Burnley and the surrounding area who left their communities to defend the Spanish republic.

It has hoped that the campaign to build a memorial in Burnley town centre will also spur a revival of interest in Lancashire’s volunteers, and lead to new information on local volunteers being unearthed.

More than 35,000 volunteers from around the world rallied to defend the democratically elected Spanish government from fascist forces led by General Francisco Franco.

This includes 2,500 people from Britain, of whom 526 were killed.

North East Lancashire TUC treasurer Chris Keene said: “It will commemorate their bravery and commitment to the causes of freedom and democracy.

“We actively welcome new volunteers to support our campaign.”