Anzacs to share corner of London

New Zealand and Australia could soon share a corner of Hyde Park in London commemorating their war dead.

Soon after an Australian monument is unveiled there on November 11, work is expected to begin on a New Zealand memorial diagonally opposite.

When Australia was granted permission to construct a 3m-high, 50m-long stretch of granite on the southwestern corner near a roundabout last year there was no mention of other memorials on the site.

However, New Zealand High Commissioner Russell Marshall has been holding talks with Royal Parks, English Heritage and Westminster Council and said that a New Zealand memorial, if approved, should be completed by the end of next year.

"If it goes ahead it will be good that the Australian and New Zealand memorials will be cheek by jowl with each other," he said.

"We will be able to hold joint dawn services on Anzac Day."

It is almost certain New Zealand will be given the go-ahead and will submit plans for the northeastern corner of the traffic island in the next few months.

Prime Minister Helen Clark might announced the plan when she visits London in late April.

New Zealand plans to take the Piccadilly/Park Lane corner, where the land is higher, and Australia will be on the lower ground facing the walls of Buckingham Palace.

Australia's High Commissioner in London, Michael L'Estrange, said he saw no reason for Australians to be disappointed by their memorial being joined by one from New Zealand.

- NZPA