The south planning sub-committee of North Kesteven District Council resolved to defer its considerations of a scheme by the town council to replace the railings around the memorial in the Market Place.

Members wanted to give the council time to rethink whether this is the most appropriate design or whether detachable railings could be provided.

Some NKDC members were concerned that although the bollards and chain would enable ease of access on Remembrance Day it would also be equally easy for people to congregate all year round and have a detrimental effect, something not as easy at the moment with the railings.

Town councillor Ada Trethewey told the strategy committee that services manager had done a lot of work on the project and this was the best solution. She said anything other than a major barrier would be equally easy to climb over.

In fact, she said one of the district councillors objecting had pointed out how people climb on the memorial during the Boxing Day hunt meet. She said that was with the existing railings in place: "If you know people are going to climb, you keep the barrier low."

Coun George Grout agreed, saying many memorials he had seen had no barriers and suffered no damage. He could not see how a fence would be beneficial. He said: "Service people I have spoken to on this subject are all in favour of making that war memorial more accessible. This is something the people of Sleaford want. Who are these members that show concern?

"If any youngster or adult climbs on the war memorial and shows such disrespect the full weight of the law should come down on them."

The committee agreed to stick by its plan for bollards saying detachable railings were not ideal and would pass its findings and those of the Royal British Legion to NKDC for consideration at its next planning sub-committee.

* What do you think? Would bollards be better than railings? Will the memorial be over-run with people climbing on it? Send your comments to andy.hubbert@jpress.co.uk