A construction firm has apologised after a 'mess room' was installed several metres away from a Stockport war memorial.

George Cox and Sons – contracted by Stockport council to carry out works related to the new station in Cheadle – installed the portable building opposite the area's war memorial. Works are expected to take place in the area over four weeks.

The close location to the war memorial on the other side of an access road had raised concerns from community groups, particularly in the run up to Remembrance Sunday in November. The Friends group for the memorial said it was 'a disgrace'.

The company said the position of the unit had been approved by the council but that it would remove it after concerns were raised. It has now been replaced with a mobile van.

It is understood the welfare van includes toilet and canteen facilities for the staff working on the scheme, which is required by law.

The location, it is understood, was selected because it is off the main highway; allows vehicles and pedestrians to pass safely; and is close to the work area.

Following criticism and pressure from councillors David Meller and Mike Newman, a council officer said the works were due to be finished by November 6 and 'the welfare unit removed from site'. Officers promised the side would be 'left in a tidy and safe condition, as it should be throughout the duration of the works'.

Andrew Frazer, chair of Cheadle Civic Society, said: "It's a very sad sign of the times that whoever agreed to this location thinks their convenience is more important than a village's monument to its war dead.

"Earlier this year, we organised a community fundraising appeal to pay for the Memorial to be professionally cleaned by conservation experts.

"That clean was specifically timed to ensure the Memorial would be looking its best in time for Remembrance Sunday – and for this to put all that hard work in jeopardy is such a shame."

A spokesperson for George Cox said: "We apologise that our welfare unit positioning has caused some criticism. The position has been approved by the council; however, we are taking this seriously and therefore we have decided to remove it from the site.

"Given the short notice we aim to remove the unit tonight or before starting the tomorrow's nightshift. We will use mobile welfare vans instead.

"We, at George Cox, are a leading local social value contractor that places integrity and care over convenience as a paradigm. I trust this will resolve the issue with the local community."

A Stockport Council spokesperson said: "We appreciate the concerns raised and have reviewed whether there are any alternative locations nearby where the unit could be placed. While we have been unable to identify another suitable fixed location, we have agreed with the contractor that a mobile welfare van will now be used and removed at the end of each night's working period.

"The van won't be present during next month's Remembrance services, and both the council and contractor will ensure the area around the cenotaph is appropriately maintained and cleaned following the works."