A PROJECT to officially register a battlefield site at Mortimer’s Cross has taken its first steps.

Battlefields Trust experts, academics and local people from Kingsland and the surrounding parishes are working together to investigate officially registering the Wars of the Roses battlefield at Mortimer's Cross.

And it was launched with an all day walking event on Saturday April 25 which looked at the possible southern and northern battlefield sites and viewed possible ambush points in the hills around.

The battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on February 2 1461, close to the village of Kingsland.

The site also straddles the parish boundaries of Shobdon, Aymestrey and Lucton. Some reports indicate that up to 4,000 soldiers lost their lives that day as the Yorkists defeated the Lancastrians.

Project chairman, Anthony Rich, said: "The importance of the battle of Mortimer’s Cross, in helping secure the throne of England for the Earl of March, as King Edward 1V, is not disputed.

"It was the first in a series of victories for Edward who, as a youth, lived at Wigmore castle and knew the local area well. However until we know better where and how the battle took place, Historic England will not be able to designate it."

More than 50 people attended the all day walking event. An arms and armour presentation and tour of the battle related sites of medieval Kingsland completed the programme.

The Battlefields Trust is planning another walk and is also helping to set up a Mortimer’s Cross Battlefield Society to further raise awareness and support the project.

Those who are interested in joining such an exciting project can e-mail patricia@pothecary.net or ring 01568708597 for details.