The tomb of Sir William Wallace's right hand man is to be restored as part of a £2m revamp of Falkirk town centre, it has been announced.

Sir John de Graeme, who fought alongside Wallace at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, was the most notable casualty in the first Battle of Falkirk in July 1298.

Sir John's tomb, in the historic Falkirk Old and St Modan's Parish Churchyard, will be cleaned and restored as part of the plans to enhance the historic churchyard and adjoining shopping streets, with the help of a £50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The churchyard metal railings will be restored, while stone conservation and carving will also be carried out.

Falkirk Council says the project will make the area safer, more accessible and attractive, and will also involve new surfacing, lighting and street furniture, planting and shrub removal in the graveyard, and new bus stops.

A public information event will be held Tuesday, September 14, between 3.30pm and 7.00 pm at Falkirk Old and St Modan's Church to give more about the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund grant award.

Council development convenor Adrian Mahoney said: "This is the first large grant award we have received since the Falkirk Council area became a 'priority' area for Heritage Lottery funding.

"It's a great boost to an exciting and dynamic project which will give a vital new focus to the town centre and offer a unique conservation experience."

The death of Sir John is one of the most noteworthy passages in the eleven books which make up the bard Blind Harry's account of the Battle of Falkirk.

The passage tells how de Graeme fought and killed an English knight, but when felled and dying himself, Wallace dismounting and taking de Graeme in his arms, kissed him and called him his "best brother".