TICKETS have now gone on sale for a World War One-themed concert to raise money to restore the grave of a Malvern Victoria Cross hero.

Henry Ward won the VC, the UK's highest award for bravery, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 for standing guard over his wounded commanding officer under heavy fire at the siege of Lucknow.

He died in Malvern ten years later and was buried in a pauper's grave in the town cemetery off Madresfield Road.

Earlier this year. Malvern Town Council decided to restore the grave after hearing that it was in a poor state of repair.

The Victoria Cross Trust has agreed to fund half the costs and to maintain the grave subsequently, and the council has received donations towards the remainder.

And as part of the fundraising, a concert has been arranged at the end of the month featuring music group the Trench Raiders.

Mayor Julian Roskams said: “There will be many events in Malvern in the coming month to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I and the terrible sacrifice of the lost generation of so many nations.

"It is entirely appropriate therefore that the Town Council should put on this concert, not only as an act of commemoration, but to raise funds for the Henry Ward VC grave reinstatement.

"But I am delighted too that we will also be supporting those who still require our help today, with part of the sums raised from the concert being donated to the Not Forgotten Association and to my mayoral charities Age UK and Dementia UK.”

The Trench Raiders perform songs and anecdotes from World War One, commemorating and celebrating the stoic humour of British soldiers. They performed at the town council's armed forces day, earlier this year.

The concert is on Friday, September 26, at St Edmund’s Hall, College Road. Tickets are now on sale from the council’s offices on Belle Vue Terrace, priced at £7.50 for adults and £5 for children, which includes a glass of wine or juice.