School under fire for trying to sell WWI hero's Victoria Cross

A school has come under fire over its plans to sell a First World War hero's Victoria Cross so it can build a new sports hall.

The medal belonged to Lieutenant Colonel Philip Bent, who was killed aged 26 in Belgium in 1917, while leading a charge with the call of "Come on the Tigers".

He was awarded the Victoria Cross - the Army's highest honour - for his "valour in the face of the enemy".

It was later donated to his former school by his mother, who said she wanted to "inspire future generations".

But Ashby School in Leicestershire now wants to sell it to raise up to £250,000 so they can "develop facilities".

Lieutenant Bent's great-nephew Keith Willis said he was disappointed with the decision, and that selling the medal for "a short term gain" would not have been the family's wish.

Captain Tim Wilkes, chairman of trustees at the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, said the school are looking for "monterary gain from someone's bravery", noting the value of such a prized medal.

But Ashby School says the actual medal is in a safety deposit box, because it is so expensive to insure for public display.

So it argues rather than it languishing out of sight, the money it could fetch would pay to replace its sports pavilion - a legacy it believes Lt Col Bent's mother would be proud of.