A PENARTH woman's struggle to get a memorial for her late fiance could soon be over.

Paul Woodland, also from Penarth, died on a military training exercise in October 2012.

Ever since, his wife-to-be, Sian - who took his last name after his death - has been campaigning for a memorial to him on the local cenotaph, but was told that this was only to honour those who had fallen in conflicts such as the First World War.

But now, following one last plea, the Vale of Glamorgan Council are said to be close to agreeing a permanent memorial to Mr Woodland - and others from Penarth and the Vale who served in the armed forces - which is likely to be located near the cenotaph in Alexandra Park.

Ms Woodland said she was delighted by the news.

"We have been trying to get something for so long but I am really pleased that we have got to this moment," she said.

"Hopefully, the fact that it will honour all those who have fallen from Penarth and the Vale will mean no one else will go through what we went through.

"I want to thank everyone for the support our family has received with attempting to get Paul recognised within his community."

Ms Woodland said the council had been extremely considerate.

"I would like to thank the leader of the council, and councillor Gwyn John who answered my heartfelt letter and last plea in attempting to get Paul remembered within Penarth," she added.

"The project is in very early stages but we are looking forward to the end result."

Mr Woodland's mother added: "This memorial will mean the world to me as Paul’s mother and not only recognising Paul and the dedication he had to his country, but to be able to honour all local fallen heroes of Penarth and the Vale and the dedication they gave.

"We are pleased we can now be working alongside the Vale of Glamorgan and providing something positive to our community.

"Although this project is still in early stages it has been positively emotional and we are very excited to see it finished."

Councillor Neil Moore, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The council is justifiably proud of its armed forces personnel and since receiving the request from Mr Woodland’s family to have his name included on the local cenotaph, we have been working hard to secure an alternative and suitable permanent memorial in Penarth recognising Mr Woodland and other armed forces personnel who lose their lives whilst serving with Her Majesty’s armed forces.

South Wales Central assembly member, Andrew RT Davies who has been working with the family on the matter for about two years said he was "extremely pleased" for Mr Woodland’s family that they are now close to realising their aim.

He added: "This news is most welcome and has only been achieved through the tenacity and determination of Paul Woodland’s family to ensure he received the recognition he so rightly deserved.

"While this has obviously taken far longer than anyone would have liked or expected, this memorial should provide a fitting tribute to a local hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect us and the freedoms we take for granted.

"I have to pay the highest tribute to Sian, Alicia and the Woodland family for the manner with which they have conducted themselves throughout this campaign and this positive resolution is a victory for them."