Campaigners for a permanent memorial to the women of the Second World War are to meet Sir John Mortimer in London this month to press their case.

Sir John is chairing a group which will make recommendations about what should go on an empty plinth in Trafalgar Square to Culture Secretary Chris Smith.

More than 270 suggestions have been received by his group as to what the statue should be ranging from Nelson Mandela, Captain James Cook and Diana, Princess of Wales to David Beckham, Winnie the Pooh and a pigeon.

But members of the York-based campaign for the first national memorial to women who served in any way during the Second World War hope to convince Sir John their idea should be taken up.

Selby MP John Grogan, who is joint vice-patron of the campaign for a Memorial to the Women of World War Two, said: "A few names have hit the headlines over the Christmas period but there is a feeling that the memorial should be to someone British as it is in Trafalgar Square."

He said a delegation would visit London at the end of January to press its case.

"If we don't get the Trafalgar Square site, we will look for another site. I would like to see the matter settled in the forthcoming year."

Mr Grogan and York MP Hugh Bayley have secured the support of hundreds of MPs in Parliament for the idea of the memorial.

After a series of articles in the Evening Press during the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday, we received more than 300 signatures from readers wanting to support the idea.

The memorial would be for all women who worked at home, in the Land Army, in munitions factories and other civilian jobs, in nursing and the 640,000 women who served in the three forces.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the recommendations to Chris Smith would be made after the elections for London Mayor in May.

The new London Mayor would probably make the final decision.

Anyone who wants to back the campaign can write directly to Sir John Mortimer, c/o The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2 - 4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.

If you would like to donate to the campaign, contact Major David Robertson at HQ York Garrison, Imphal Barracks, Fulford Road, York, YO10 4AU.

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