Ed Vaizey, Minister for Heritage, has upgraded the listed status of some of England’s most iconic war memorials upon the advice of English Heritage.

These poignant and significant reminders of the sacrifices made in the First World War were designed by leading architects of the day.

Four have now been upgraded to Grade I, the highest possible listing, making them among the 2.5% of buildings and structures of the same grade.

The memorials upgraded to Grade I status are:

Guards Memorial, Horseguards Parade, Westminster

Birmingham Hall of Memory

The Response War Memorial, Newcastle

Port Sunglight War Memorial, Wirral.

Two other memorials have been upgraded to Grade II* status and they are:

Lewes War Memorial, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex

The War Memorial, St Peter’s Street, Norwich

Mr Vaizey said, ‘War memorials are the most visible reminder for all of us today of the heroism and sacrifice of service men and women through the years.’

He went on to comment that ‘it is absolutely right that English Heritage is working to help protect and preserve them for generations to come.’

English Heritage Designation Director, Roger Bowdler, said, ‘These upgrades represent the work English Heritage is doing to recognise the importance of First World War memorials in England.

‘These six memorials spread across the country, each one of the highest creative achievement, sum up the grief and price people had for those who died.

‘These memorials provide us with an enduring link to those hundreds of thousands who gave their lives in conflict.’