A UNIQUE carving has been unveiled to celebrate the history of Barnton.

Jam Butty Boy has been designed to mark how hard it was in the 1950s for people to save up to buy their own homes.

“Families lived on jam and break to achieve their dream, “said Lynn Gibbon, chairman of Barnton Community Group and a Marbury councillor for Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“The statue highlights the rich heritage of Barnton which became prosperous with the building of the Trent and Mersey Canal opening up trade with the potteries and coal fields.

“Brunner Mond was a big benefactor to the village. They built the original school and provided jobs.”

The figure was initially going to be created in situ as special event after a villager donated an oak tree brought down by Storm Doris.

“The wood had been donated and was a huge oak tree trunk,” said Cllr Gibbon. “But some bright spark chopped it up and took it away!”

Carver Andy Burgess created the seven foot carving from a single piece of cedarwood, which has red marks in it to look like jam coming out of the bread.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” added Cllr Gibbon. “One chap said it depicted him as a boy.”

Tatton MP Esther McVey, who unveiled the statue, said: “It is an amazing carving and it was an honour to be asked to attend the unveiling of such a special piece of history.”

The £5,000 carving was funded by grants from Barnton Parish Council, the Co-op, and a members’ budget from CWAC Marbury councillors Gibbon, Don Hammond and Norman Wright.

Lane End Developments gave advice, helped lay trunking for the lighting and provided railings to secure the statue.

The carving is on the corner of Beech Lane and Runcorn Road. A plaque will be installed and the statue surrounded by full landscaping once the housing development is completed.