Sixty-three new ‘Peace’ roses are to be placed around the Cairn war memorial in Alton.

They will replace the Burma Star roses that are currently there but need replacing.

The Burma Star’ roses were planted some decades ago and are so well loved  by the community that Alton Town Council tried to find replacements.

“Unfortunately they are no longer available,” said a council spokesman.

“We have decided on the David Austen ‘Peace’ Hybrid Tea Rose which is very similar in colour. It has large, sweetly-fragrant blooms of yellow, edged with pink and glossy, deep green foliage.”

The Burma Star roses are named after the military campaign medal, instituted by the United Kingdom in May 1945 for award to British and Commonwealth veterans who served in the Burma Campaign from 1941 to 1945, during the Second World War.

The new ‘Peace’ roses that will be planted have been chosen not only for their name but also because of their meaningful historical connection with the Second World War. 

The ‘Peace’ rose was developed by French horticulturalist Francis Meilland, between 1935 and 1939. 

When Meilland foresaw the German invasion of France, he sent cuttings to friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany and the United States to protect the new rose. 

It is said it was sent to the US on the last plane available before the German invasion, where it was safely propagated by the Conard Pyle Co during the war.

A council spokesman added the authority hoped to plant the new  roses next week, depending on weather conditions and as long as the roses had arrived in time.

Anyone who would like to join the team plant the new roses  should contact the town council’s community and enhancements officer Emily-Jane Messenger by emailing [email protected] or calling 01420 83986.