A POPULAR church projector that was recovered by police after being stolen is now back in use, shining a message of light in time for Christmas.

Having been used during Remembrance Week to project an image of a poppy on to the tower of St Helens Parish Church, it caused much sadness and anger when it was stolen in November.

However, since being returned to its rightful place, it is being used to project the image of a Star, with the idea it will provide a symbol of light and hope as we head towards Christmas and the new year.

Reverend Andrew Ridley, Vicar of the parish, said he was delighted to have the projector back and said the new image is a gift to the people of the town.

He said: "We look on it as being a small gift to the people of Northwich.

"The church is paying for the hire of the projector from now until the new year.

"Things are a bit dark at the moment and we need plenty of light.

"It's a symbol of light and hope and the star pointing to the heart of Christmas."

As well providing residents with another beautiful light show, the church would also like who like and are inspired by it to think of those less fortunate this Christmas.

"People were so generous after the projector was stolen from us, some people even offering to compensate us financially," he explained.

"We were very keen as a church to say to people, if you like it, please have a think about people who are less fortunate than ourselves.

"We recently had a service for The Children's Society and one of the action points of the charity is it seeks to bring light, hope and happiness to vulnerable and needy children and their families.

"We like the phrase light, hope and happiness, and it sits so well alongside the new star."

Gordon Atkinson, who is one of the members of the church shared the photo of the star of hope on social media.

He said: "The aim of the star shining on our Church is to inspire us all to seek signs of hope, of light, of love and of compassion during these increasingly difficult times.

"If you support this shining light please consider donating to one of our supported charities which is The Children’s Society.

"We hope to have this showing every evening between 4:00pm and 12 midnight until January 4 2021."

If you enjoy the new projection on St Helens, you can make a donation to the Children's Society using this Just Giving link.