AN appeal has been launched to restore a special silk ensign made by the women of Ludlow to fly on a ship carrying the name of the town.

The ensign was made in silk by the ladies of Ludlow when the ship was named and adopted by the town in 1940.

But help is now urgently need to raise the remaining funds needed to conserve this ensign in St Laurence Church and provide a clear display case to preserve it for future generations.

Shaun Ward from the church said that the ensign is very delicate and has deteriorated in the past few years.

“Unless we act this year, a significant portion may be lost,” he said.

HMS Ludlow was the third ship to bear this name. She was built as a destroyer in 1917 in the United States, as USS Stockton.

For the rest of the First World War, she acted as an escort to the American Expeditionary Force and on anti-submarine duties.

She was then mothballed until 1940, when she was one of 50 US destroyers exchanged with the UK for naval bases in the Caribbean.

The need for convoy escort vessels was paramount at this stage of World War II. Her new name was chosen as one of a number of towns that exist in the UK, the Commonwealth and the USA.

HMS Ludlow then worked on convoy escort duties between Rosyth, where she was based, and the Thames estuary. She was finally paid off in July 1945 having given valuable service in two world wars.

It is hoped that grants can help with the restoration and a number of Royal Naval Associations have made a donation but a further £3,000 is needed.

People who want to contribute can make a donation either by cheque of visiting the Just Giving website https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/stlaurences/hmsludlow

There is also an opportunity to organise a fundraising event.