Ashburton’s war memorial needs a clean after wreaths stained the stonework base.

The wreaths were laid at the annual Anzac Day commemorations in Baring Square West on April 25.

Ashburton District Council business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the stains were spotted when wreaths were removed about two weeks after Anzac Day as usual.

“This is the first time that we have encountered this and believe that paint from some of the wreaths is the cause.

“Most of the damage is on the bluestone at the base of the cenotaph.”

The council has engaged a specialist stonemason to clean the cenotaph, and that work started on Thursday and is anticipated to take until the end of next week.

“It will likely require multiple applications of stripping agent, poultice, and or mechanical removal, sympathetic to the stone type.

“This work is weather dependent, and dependent on the specialist’s availability.”

The cenotaph was unveiled in 1928 and bears the names of 432 Mid Canterbury people who lost their lives in defence of the country.

It underwent some restoration work in 2020.

Specialist workers gave the 14m sandstone monument a  hand-wash, sprayed any lichen and moss, and replaced the mortar to clean and repair the monument.

By Jonathan Leask