A MEMORIAL plaque honouring 63 war heroes has been restored in time for the centenary commemorations of the end of the First World War.

The original war memorial from St Luke's Church in Winnington was removed when the church on Solvay Road was demolished in 2014.

The names of local men who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars had been engraved on the stone monument, encased with ornate stone pillars and military flags and placed on an inner wall of the church, which was founded in 1897.

The memorial was put into safe storage when St Luke's moved to the former ICI library at Winnington Park Recreation Club on Park Road.

Parishioners vowed earlier this year to reinstate the memorial in the new church in time for the 100-year milestone of Armistice Day.

Church warden Elizabeth Walton and lay reader Jim Crawshaw led the project.

It has been a labour of love as the original monument was too big and heavy to fit into its new home.

Elizabeth said: "We couldn't put it back because of its weight. It was taken to Whitby's Memorial Ltd in Northwich to have the thickness reduced and cleaned.

"They have done a superb job. It looks absolutely beautiful. It meant so much to have this one put back up rather than have a new one."

The central stone featuring the names of all the fallen servicemen has now been placed back on the wall and all the surrounds kept safely in storage.

"A wooden frame was lovingly put together by one of the church's lay readers Jim Crawshaw. I'm sure all our parishioners will really appreciate it when they see it."

The memorial was blessed at an All Souls service on Sunday led by retired vicar Brian Peace.

A remembrance service will be held on Sunday, November 11 at 9.30am when a wreath will be laid to commemorate all the local men who sacrificed their lives.