FIRST came military history books, then a play followed by a statue, now a documentary DVD is to be made about the Great War heroes, the Bradford Brothers.

Only one of the four brothers survived the 1914-18 War in which all were awarded medals for gallantry, including the Victoria Cross to two of the siblings.

Born in Witton Park in County Durham, they are the most decorated brothers in British Military history.

Their bravery was touched on in an archive film, The Wear at War, produced by the Lonely Tower Film and Media company last year as part of a series for history groups in the North-East funded by Heritage Lottery Fund grants.

Producers realised the Bradford story was worthy of something more.

"We provide heritage groups with a way to share their research in filmic form that may help them reach a wider audience and create public interest, " said producer Mark Thorburn.

"The Wear at War was restricted by the geographical area, which includes Witton Park where the brothers spent their early childhood, but the family moved to Darlington where they grew up."

The DVD, working title The Fighting Bradfords, will be funded by the company, with the aim of releasing it in April to coincide with the award of the Victoria Cross to George Bradford.

Youngest brother, Roland, was awarded the Victoria Cross and Military Cross; James the Military Cross; and Thomas, the one who came home, a Distinguished Service Order.

Filming will include shots of Holy Trinity Church, in Woodland Road, Darlington, where the family worshipped and where there is a memorial plaque to the Bradfords.

Chris Lloyd, who writes the Looking Back column for the D&S Times, has been interviewed on film at the church.

He said: "I was asked how Darlington has remembered the Bradfords, and it seems to me that the initial enthusiasm after the First World War was forgotten during the Depression that followed and the Second World War along with other such stories.

"It is probably only now as we approach the 100th anniversary of the ending of the war that people are digging into their family trees and other accounts realising the extraordinary bravery shown by men such as the Bradfords."

Mr Lloyd was recorded talking about the memorial plaque which caused controversy when the vicar, the Rev Peacock, questioned the wording at the base until it was explained by the boys' mother, Amy, that "Abide with Me" was important to her youngest son, Roland, who had just been killed, and to the men of the Durham Light Infantry who would sing the hymn in the trenches.

The DVD will be available to buy and there will be screenings in the area, with potential for wider broadcasting.

"We hadn't enough time in the previous film to do go into the stories in depth and we hope this will do them justice," said Mr Thorburn.