A BATTLE could be brewing between Bodmin and Truro to honour a war hero with a permanent memorial.
The Government has announced that special paving stones for First World War Victoria Cross recipients will be placed in the town where they were born, as part of next year's Great War centenary commemorations.
Private James Finn was born in Truro, but was brought up and went to school in Bodmin, and the town has always seen the Victoria Cross holder as one of its own.
Truro mayor John Tamblyn said this week he was sure his council would like the paving stone in its city, but his counterpart in Bodmin, Ken Stubbs, is insisting it is placed in his town.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced a national competition to design specially commissioned paving stones which will be presented to councils in the areas where those Victoria Cross recipients of the First World War were born.
The Cornishmen who received the highest honour were Earnest Pitcher, from Mullion; Horace Curtis, from St Anthony-in-Roseland and James Finn, who is listed as from Truro.
But a Bodmin housing estate is named after him and the town's museum has a permanent exhibition featuring him.
Mr Pickles said: "Laying paving stones to mark these Victoria Cross heroes will ensure that there is a permanent memorial to all the fallen who fought for our country and the competition is a great way for people from all corners of the UK to get involved."
"This will connect communities to their shared history, help residents understand how their area played its part in the Great War, and ensure memories of that sacrifice for British freedom and liberty are kept alive for generations to come."
Mr Tamblyn acknowledged Truro had not commemorated Private Finn in the past, and said his city council would have to discuss the matter with Bodmin council.
Mr Tamblyn said: "We have no other Victoria Cross holders who were born in Truro, and I'm quite sure we would like the paving stone to be placed here, but I can see this could be a bit tricky.
"Perhaps it would be possible to have paving stones honouring James Finn in Truro and Bodmin, but we will need to discuss this further with the city council and with Bodmin Town Council."
Bodmin mayor Mr Stubbs said there was no question that the memorial should be placed in Bodmin.
"James Finn has always been recognised as a Bodmin boy, and we have always kept his memory alive in this town. Everyone in Bodmin will want the stone to be laid here I'm sure, perhaps on Mount Folly," he said.
A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government said the matter would be up to the local authorities involved.
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