AN APPEAL to commemorate the actions of heroic sailors during world war two and celebrate a town's community spirit is in urgent need of a kick-start, the organisers have claimed.

A group of Horsforth Town Councillors and representatives from Horsforth Museum have banded together to form a committee to plan a commemoration and dedication ceremony with a plaque and a memorial stone to be placed in the grounds of the museum.

Press spokesman Michael Grubb said the event commemorated the 60th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the war when three Navy ships, including

the corvette HMS Aubretia, attacked a U-boat and recovered a German Enigma

code machine and other important documents.

"We aim to mark the anniversary of the event and also to acknowledge the endeavours of Horsfordians who, in one week in 1941, raised a magnificent £241,000 - equivalent to £5 million in today's money - to pay for the Aubretia," said Mr Grubb, a Horsforth town councillor and chairman

of the Fleet Air Arm Armourers Association.

"We launched an appeal to raise money for the ceremony and special plaque a couple of months ago and despite a £500 donation from the town council to kick us off, we still need £1,500 by the end of September.

"People have been a bit slow at coming forward to support us and I would urge Horsfordians and local businesses to come forward."

Mr Grubb said that the event, on October 28, will clarify the sequence of events during the battle. As previously reported, Hollywood studio Universal rewrote history last year and created uproar when they substituted British ships for American ones in the film U571. The film led to the then US President, Bill Clinton writing to the people of Horsforth to acknowledge their contributions to the war effort.

Mr Grubb said: "At the same time we want to honour the gallant crews of these ships and acknowledge the tremendous achievement of the people of Horsforth, many of whom are now into their eighties. I hope the event will highlight to our younger generation the sacrifices made by our forefathers to guarantee their freedom. I hope for a good day."

Sir Barry Sheen, who was First Lieutenant on the Aubretia when the action took place, will be attending, along with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, MP Paul Truswell, town councillors, members of the service organisations, youth organisations and other dignitaries.

It is intended to have a march down Town Street and a short church service followed by a social gathering including light refreshments in Horsforth Social Club after the dedication.

The event is being organised by members of Horsforth Town Council, Horsforth Museum, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, the Fleet Air Arm Association and the Fleet Air Arm Armourers Association.

l Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal should send cheques or postal orders made payable to the HMS Aubretia Fund to town councillor Doug Holmes, 19 Hall Park Avenue, Horsforth LS18 5LN.