THE origin of a mystery structure in a High Wycombe park appears to have been solved.

Cllr Trevor Snaith issued an appeal for information about what he believed was a war memorial on Kingsmead park, with the view to potentially having it resorted to its former glories.

But Wycombe Marsh resident Bernard Lewendon believes the eroding monument is in fact a children’s’ drinking fountain built in the 1950s.

In a letter to the BFP and Cllr Snaith, he wrote: “Both the fountain and the playground were officially opened at the same time. I was there and recall the occasion.

“The opening ceremony was performed by Michael Barry who owned a general store and newsagents at the corner of London Road and Ford Street. I was one of his paper-boys at that time.

“I do not know the names inscribed on the fountain but I suspect they were of local people who had died during World War Two.”