EACH of the 480 British-born soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the First World War is to be honoured with a special paving stone in their home towns.

The first stones will be laid next year marking the centenary of the war’s outbreak, with further ceremonies to continue until 2018.

The idea of a personalised monument in each hero’s home town came from the individual tributes given to each gold medal winner at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which saw the Royal Mail paint more than 100 of its red post boxes gold.

Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, who this weekend announced a national competition to design the stones, said: “Laying paving stones to mark these Victoria Cross heroes will ensure there