The campaign to secure a national memorial to the women who served in the Second World War is nearing its fundraising target.

Launched two years ago in York, the fund has nearly reached the £50,000 mark, according to trustee Mildred Veal, of Clifton, York.

And when MPs return to Parliament, Selby MP John Grogan is to apply for an adjournment debate about securing a site in Trafalgar Square.

The campaign aims to build a national memorial to the hundreds of thousands of women who served during the war, whether for one of the three services, at home, in the land army or in munitions works.

At present there is no national memorial to the women who served in the Second World War.

Fundraisers hope to raise £50,000 so they can then apply for match funding in lottery cash, and have their eyes on a plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Selby MP John Grogan is to call on MPs to support the Trafalgar Square site in an adjournment debate.

He said he was optimistic the debate would take place as the patron of the campaign is the Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd.

"I had a 20-minute meeting with her before we went into recess and I am very hopeful we will be able to get a debate."

Miss Veal said: "We are appealing for everyone across the country to write to their MPs to support our plans in Parliament."

She said sculptors had been asked to submit drawings and ideas and these would then be considered in choosing a design.

It will be the second time the campaign has been raised in Parliament - two years ago MPs backed an early day motion from York MP Hugh Bayley, now vice-patron of the campaign.

Meanwhile Miss Veal said fundraisers hoped to reach the £50,000 target with a street collection in York on September 23, when vice-patron Mr Bayley would be helping volunteers in St Sampson's Square.

Anyone who would rather contribute by post should make cheques payable to Central Bank, York Garrison and sent to the Memorial to Women of World War Two fund c/o HQ York Garrison, Imphal Barracks, Fulford Road, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.