Up to 2,500 war memorials are to get listed status to ensure they are preserved forever, reports the Sunday People.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller will today announce that Liverpool Cenotaph will be listed Grade 1.

It will join the memorial in Victoria Park Leicester and the Cenotaph in Whitehall as one of only three to have the top grade.

But over the next five years English Heritage plan listing another 500 war memorials annually.

Ms Miller said: “War memorials are a precious part of our heritage that keep alive the ultimate sacrifice so many made.”

And she is calling on the public to nominate memorials they believe should be listed.