A CELEBRATION was held to mark the 600th anniversary of one of the town's most historic buildings.

On Sunday, June 21 historian Ted Forsyth was at the Windleshaw chantry, also known as the 'abbey', to give tours and talks on the structure's history.

And the following day a service was held by Father Tom Gagie, of St Thomas of Canterbury church to commemorate the milestone with a congregation of more than 60 in attendance.

Ted has worked tirelessly over the past few months researching the abbey, which resulted in the building's origins being revealed.

He came across a copy of a letter, dated June 21 1415 to Thomas Gerard Knight, Lord of Windle Manor in St Helens Central Library Archives.

It read: "I John Catrick, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield give licence to my dear son in Christ, Thomas Gerard Knight and his wife Margaret for mass and divine office to be celebrated in their chantry chapel within their manor of Windle."

The discovery confirmed that the chantry had been built 20 years before it was previously believed and that this June would mark its 600th anniversary.

In 2008 a mass was held at the chantry on Easter Monday for the first time in more than 450 years.

Metal detectors are to be used to help unearth more details of the building's history which is believe to have been involved in the English Civil War.

"Around 100 people came on the Sunday and there were 60 plus for the mass," said Ted, who has also worked on identifying the thousands of graves buried in the grounds going back to the 1600s.

"I'm glad to have a bit of a rest now and I can do things in my own time again. It's been non-stop every day virtually.

"But everything went really well and everybody was delighted."