CHERRY Lane campaigners are rejoicing after a monument at the cemetery was awarded a Grade II Listing.

The EMI Memorial at the cemetery in Shepiston Lane, Hayes is deemed of historical interest as it signifies the 37 lives lost when a doodlebug dropped its deadly cargo on the EMI factory in Hayes during World War Two.

CLAD (Cherry Lane Against Development) have been fighting to prevent the use of the cemetery being used to accommodate a dual carriageway linking a proposed third Heathrow runway with the M4 motorway.

Independently of EMI, CLAD applied to English Heritage to get a listing for the memorial.

Edna La Mothe, spokesperson for the campaign, said: "Every little success is a step towards our goal of saving the cemetery.

"We are delighted with this decision, as it gives the cemetery and monument the mark of importance, which the community always felt it deserves.

"It also recognises the impact this incident has on the history of Hayes."

Each year the story of the EMI bombing is retold at the annual CLAD Remembrance Day candlit service.