A Northampton landmark that honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice has been awarded Grade I listing to recognise its importance locally and to the nation.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport upgraded the status of the Northampton Cenotaph to become a Grade One Listed monument on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The announcement is being made ahead of the town coming together at the Cenotaph in Wood Hill to mark Remembrance Day.

The Cenotaph was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens who was appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission (now Commonwealth War Graves Commission) as just one of three architects to mark the end of World War One. Lutyens’ Cenotaphs can be found around the world as people come together to mark Remembrance.

Northampton’s Cenotaph is in illustrious company with Lutyens’ designs in Whitehall, Manchester, Glasgow, Delhi, Johannesburg, Toronto, Hong Kong and Auckland to name but a few. Each monument connected by with the same inscription “Their Name Liveth For Evermore”.

Last year Northampton Borough Council brought in a team of specialists to repaint the Cenotaph as the nation marked the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. And the area is recognised as being of significant architectural and historical importance with a large number of Listed buildings revealing some of the best of Northampton’s heritage.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning said: “Our Cenotaph is not simply a monument, it is a part of life in our town. It represents a lasting tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. And at the same time as Her Majesty lays a wreath at the Cenotaph at Whitehall, people in Northampton also stand in silence by another Lutyens designed war memorial.

“Every year people come into the town centre to gather at the Cenotaph and pay their respects. It seems a simple gesture, but it is an opportunity for the community to come together and share something while they think about those who served or are serving in our armed services. And I know that this year will be no different as everyone wears their Poppy with pride.

“So I am pleased to see that our war memorial is being recognised as being nationally important, and the timing could not be more fitting as our thoughts turn to supporting the Royal British Legion.”