A YORK-based campaign for a memorial to the women of the Second World War has taken centre stage in the House of Commons.

The city's MP Hugh Bayley put forward an Early Day Motion at Parliament in an attempt to breath fresh life into the campaign.

He asked Westminster yesterday to "pay tribute to the work carried out by the 640,000 women who served in the armed forces".

He also confirmed that a planning application to build a memorial has been submitted to City of Westminster Council.

But he said the memorial scheme, which has the backing of London Mayor Ken Livingstone, still depended on more cash being found before it could be realised - £140,000 has already been raised.

The motion was co-signed by Selby MP John Grogan, a vice patron of the campaign, and four other prominent MPs, including Gwyneth Dunwoody.

A further 91 MPs, representing all political parties, also put their names to the motion.

Mr Bayley said: "This campaign has been running for five years. A planning application has gone in.

"I hope this Early Day Motion will help fire up the public imagination for this campaign.

"It is really important that the memorial is built soon. The contribution of women in the Second World War was not just a little bit extra - it made all the difference.

"That's why I am determined to see this campaign through."

Mr Bayley said the actions of these women had helped to secure his right to stand in elections.

"My generation should never forget that," he said.

"There are two memorials to women who acted during the First World War.

"But in the aftermath of the second conflict, it appears that people didn't really think about the contribution women had played."

The campaign to build a memorial, based near the Cenotaph, in London, has been applauded at the highest level.

Forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, 84, is a patron as is former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd.

Mr Grogan said: "It is time to bring this matter to a conclusion.

"As the years go by, it is now really urgent that a memorial is erected to the women of the Second World War, in recognition of their efforts."

The cost of the project has risen, to an estimated £700,000, because of the need to buy a site near the Cenotaph.

Another site, on Raleigh Green opposite the Ministry of Defence, had to be rejected because of difficulties with a large underground oil tank.

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, February 27, 2002