The Ashburton cenotaph in Baring Square West won't be looking its usual self over coming weeks, with scaffolding currently going up around the monument for maintenance and cleaning.

The Ashburton District Council will hand-wash the cenotaph, spray any lichen and moss, and replace the mortor to clean and repair the World War monument. The work is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete.

The maintenance will be finished well ahead of Anzac Day commemorations in April. ​