A war memorial in Mitcham has been listed by Historic England.

Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage called for the memorial to be listed on Remembrance Sunday last year.

The memorial was unveiled in November 1920, to commemorate the lives of 588 people in the community who died in the First World War. An inscription remembering Second World War servicemen and "those killed in other conflicts" was added in 1962.

The plinth, on Lower West Green behind Vestry Hall, has been listed Grade II by Historic England. The Secretary of State has agreed with Historic England's recommendation that it be listed with immediate effect.

Tony Burton, trustee of Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage said: "We're proud to have played our part in securing national recognition for this monument to the contribution Mitcham's community made in the two World Wars. It stands as witness to the impact of conflict on Mitcham and we're delighted to see the war memorial recognised and protected for the future."

Historic England has pledged to list a total of 2,500 war memorials over the centenary of the First World War.

Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England, said: “One hundred years on, it is time to come together again to ensure our memorials are in good condition, and properly recognised by listing.

"This is all part of a wider partnership we have forged with War Memorials Trust, Civic Voice and the Imperial War Museums to help communities discover, care for and conserve their local war memorials.

"They will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifice and struggle.”