MONTHS of wrangling over where to put Crewe's revamped war memorial could end next month.

The controversial saga has rumbled on for more than a year.

A public consultation closes on August 18 when an outside agency will gather all the responses from people asked to give their views.

After that the council will announce the fate of Britannia which has lain under wraps in a restoration yard since being uprooted from Market Square outside Marks & Spencer in January.

She has undergone extensive repairs and restoration after 80 years of being battered by the weather took its toll.

But it is unlikely she will return in time for Remembrance Day in November.

Work on creating a base on the new-look Municipal Square opposite the library was put on hold when the council switched to Conservative leadership after the local elections in May.

Council leader Brian Silvester said: 'This issue has come back to haunt us from the previous Labour administration.

'We said if we took control we would ask local people what they want and we have.

'We think this is the fairest way of dealing with the issue.

'To put the war memorial on Municipal Square at this time when the results of the consultation are soon expected could be a waste of money if we need to move it again.

'We will gather the responses to the consultation and if there is a clear decision we will abide by it.

'If it turns out to be an equal split, the Council Board will have to look at making the fairest decision to bring an end to this matter.

'Hopefully, the consultation will produce a clear result.'

People are being asked whether they want the memorial back on the Market Square, placed on the new-look Municipal Square opposite the library or if they have no preference.

A total of 1,400 people across the borough, chosen at random, are taking part in the consultation. Telephone pollers are currently ringing them.

Results are expected to be announced in September.