REMEMBERING the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served during the Second World War will soon be easier for those with disabilities thanks to the construction of a new footpath.

Disabled visitors to West Kirby’s Grange Hill have often struggled to reach the war memorial and enjoy the views the site offers.

But thanks to the generosity of local businesses and residents, work has now started on a £30,000 project to allow better accessibility to the hill.

Derek Longman, chairman of the Friends of Grange Hill – formed in 2012 to protect and improve the area - said: “Work has started on the first part of the footpath which leads from Grange Old Road.

“Further on the footpath will become part of what is now the emergency vehicle access road. It won’t be any wider but it will allow people with disabilities greater access to the monument and the views on the hill.

“We believe that Grange Hill boasts the best views of Wirral and the estuary so we think it’s very important that people with disabilities can access it.”

The commencement of the vital work comes after £30,000 worth of donations, as well as funding from Wirral Council’s Love Wirral grants.

“We set up in 2012 because we felt that the garden of remembrance was being neglected and we wanted to restore it to reflect the debt we owe to people who served in the Second World War,” explained Derek.

“The footpath is going to make it easier for people with disabilities to get on the hill at any time during the day.

“We do feel that it’s important that people who want to pay their respects at the war memorial, or even just take in the views, should be able to do so whenever they want.”

Work is also taking place in the garden of remembrance, starting with the reinstallation of some of the site’s former benches.

Derek added: “This project is thanks almost entirely to donations from local businesses and residents who have contributed to actually securing the funding to start the work.

“We have raised around £30,000 but the money is still coming in.”

An official opening ceremony will take place once the footpath’s construction is complete.